By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Vikki Crowley of Marlborough and her Team Vikki (formerly the Sunflower Girls) continue fundraising year-round as they prepare to participate in the 14th annual Just ‘Cause Breast Cancer Walk, a three-day, 60-miler. Walk proceeds go to the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Center for Breast Cancer in Boston and the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden in Harvard.
On Friday, Nov. 6, from 7 to 11 p.m., Team Vikki will introduce its first Country-Western Night at the Marlborough Moose Family Center 1129. Crowley takes a line-dancing class instructed by Mary Dragon of Northborough, the choreographer and manager of the Country Kickers. The dance troupe will entertain at the Country-Western Night.
“Mary and her Country Kickers are the best,” Crowley declared. “Their enthusiasm is fantastic and she gets people up off their chairs to start dancing.”
Crowley is a four-time cancer survivor tackling a dual mission: Raise funds and awareness for the importance of early detection. Once again, she and Team Vikki rode in the Marlborough Labor Day Parade on a float with pink-ribbon banners proclaiming, “Breast cancer: Together we can find that cure.” She feels her public presence can strengthen the message.
“If I can save one person’s life by pushing the pink ribbon in their face, then I’ve done what I’m here to do,” she said.
Crowley had planned to participate in her first Just ‘Cause Walk in 2013. Instead, she was hospitalized that week.
“I actually begged the doctors to let me go and they said, ‘Absolutely not,’” she shared.
Since then, she has done the walk the past two years and became a client at the healing garden.
“When I’m feeling down and sorry for myself, I’ll call the healing garden or go there and walk around,” she said. “I leave there feeling better about myself and as if I can conquer anything.”
After participating in Boston’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day for over 10 years, Crowley researched other charities. She’s confident that her current fundraising efforts are a valuable investment.
“With the Just ‘Cause Walk, 100 percent of the money raised goes between the healing garden and MGH; nothing goes to administration,” she said.
Country-Western Night tickets are $10 each and will be available at the door. In addition to dancing with music provided by deejay Gary C, the evening will feature raffles and snacks.
Crowley is looking forward to wearing country-style attire and hitting the dance floor.
“I shouldn’t be here, but I keep coming back,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve lived through four types of cancer. I’ve been given umpteen chances and I think this is the reason. I’m fighting for that cure and to save as many lives as I can.”
For information about the Just ‘Cause Walk, scheduled for Friday to Sunday, June 3 to 5, 2016, visit justcausewalk.org. For information about the healing garden, visit healinggarden.net.
File photos/Ed Karvoski Jr.
