From Hospital Bed to Race Day: 6-year-old Cancer Survivor to Race for the Place
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Facing cancer is hard for anyone but going through the challenges as a child has its unique hurdles. Six-year-old Sydney Phoeson and her family were grateful when they were introduced to The Gathering Place in Beachwood, a non-profit, community-based cancer support center that focuses on the social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of individuals with cancer and their family and friends. With programs provided free of charge, The Gathering Place services are designed to complement traditional medicine with a mind-body-spirit approach. Sydney found the children’s programs and services so helpful she even took part from her hospital bed. She is now in remission and ready to take part in the 5K/1-mile walk with her family.
“Our family is honored to be a part of the Race for the Place,” says Sydney’s mother, Britni Phoeson. “The Gathering Place has been something that we look forward to every Saturday whether by zoom or in person. They just aren’t there to support the person going through treatment, but their entire family. The staff provided us with what we needed each step of the way and continue to be a huge part of our family even with Sydney’s treatment being completed. We were able to forget about the hard days in front of us with the kindness that each person we interacted with treated us. Our family is eternally grateful for this amazing organization.”
Race for the Place is held the first Sunday in June on National Cancer Survivors Day. The 5K and 1 Mile walk held at Beachwood Place, is a celebration of cancer survivors and an opportunity to raise money for The Gathering Place. All proceeds support participants, like 6- year-old Sydney and her family.
Race for the Place helps to keep the services offered at The Gathering Place free of charge, these include support groups, children’s programming, art, nutrition and exercise classes, education and more. Over its twenty-two-year history, the annual event has raised over $6 million for The Gathering Place and those touched by cancer. To register or donate, visit racefortheplace.org
“Each year, we are inspired to see such strong community support for our organization,” says Michele Seyranian, CEO of The Gathering Place. “It’s because of their generosity and dedication that we can continue to provide free programming and services to all who face a life altering cancer diagnosis. Many of our participants have remarked that the hospital saved their life, while The Gathering Place saved their soul. We couldn’t do it without the support of our donors, and we look forward to gathering together to celebrate this year.”
The race starts, rain or shine, at Beachwood Place at 9 a.m. on the upper-level parking deck between Nordstrom and Dillard’s, 26300 Cedar Road, Beachwood. A National Cancer Survivors Day ceremony begins at 8:40 a.m., with family activities including face painting, Bubbles the Clown Lady, a special appearance from Superheroes, chalk design, games, music and more all held in Celebration Village beginning at 8 a.m. Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience performances by The Cleveland Dance Project the morning of the event.
Community members can register individually or as teams online at racefortheplace.org, by calling the organization at 216-455-1515 or by visiting the organization at either its Beachwood or Westlake facility. Entry fees are as follows: $35 for the 5K and $30 for the 1 mile. Those unable to attend the event can also support The Gathering Place or friends and family participating in the day’s event by donating directly to racefortheplace.org.
The 2022 Race for the Place sponsors include Parker Hannifin, SITE Centers Corp, Cleveland Clinic, Meijer, ANCORA, Swagelok, Westfield Bank, Beachwood Place, MetroHealth, Berman and WKYC. A variety of sponsorship levels are available, if you are interested in becoming a sponsor call 216-455-1505.
The Gathering Place East is located at 23300 Commerce Park in Beachwood, Ohio. The Gathering Place West is located at 25425 Center Ridge Road in Westlake, Ohio. Programs and services are presently offered in-person and virtually. Contact the organization at 216-595-9546 or touchedbycancer.org.