“You have breast cancer.” Words that would shake any woman to her core. For Molly Walsh, coming at a time when she was still navigating the seas of personal grief after losing her youngest son to a tragic accident at 13 years of age, the diagnosis could have been her breaking point. However, after going through the worst thing imaginable she somehow knew she would find her way through this, too. She looked cancer squarely in the eye and said, “You have no idea who you’re dealing with!” Molly’s story is not one of despair but extraordinary resilience. It is about one woman’s spirit, grit and determination to heal and flourish. The focus is on how she turned her pain into a life dedicated to service.
It seems Molly was always drawn to empower and advocate for others, especially those with less resources. Such as when she worked in Chicago for the Citizens Information Service where the belief was that knowledge is a powerful tool for a better community and educational sessions were designed to empower low income communities to know their rights as citizens. Molly's path of empowerment and advocacy was ignited. She carried that into her work with McHenry County College and her desire to ensure all residents have the opportunity for higher education. Throughout her career, not to mention her life, she has leaned into that “knowledge is power" philosophy when advocating for women, equality and health care. And humbly led the way for others to follow.
After wrapping her head around the idea of cancer in her body, Molly transformed her fear into gratitude for her doctor who found the lump and swiftly took action. She never lost sight of the fact that without early detection and access to quality healthcare, her journey would have been very different. It pulled at her heartstrings to contemplate the women who may not have the access to preventative health care or who may have health concerns but lack insurance or resources to guide them.
Molly was fortunate. Her cancer was treatable. She faced a biopsy, lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy head on, determined to keep moving forward and never forget her privilege of top-notch doctors, preventative care, early detection, access to treatment and insurance to offset the exorbitant costs. She was keenly aware that many others did not (and do not) have the same advantages. Her deep desire to serve others was reignited and she felt compelled to do more.
Often times, we can see a need but feel helpless to make a change or a difference. It takes a special person with a combination of heart, determination and dedication to notice the need and then take action. Molly Walsh IS that person. This soft-spoken, petite woman has quietly, and without pomp and circumstance, been a fierce advocate and innovator in our community.
While working at Mchenry County College in the late 1990s, she learned that the Health Department identified a high incidence of breast cancer in our county. This led to the creation of an advisory committee, comprised of women in the community, tasked with promoting the importance of screening and publicizing a grant program that would provide low-income individuals, who are often uninsured or underinsured, access to these life-saving diagnostics.
Molly knew it was time to make an even greater impact. This led to her initiative to raise additional funds so more women (and men) could have improved access to breast cancer screenings. After some evaluation and contemplation, what is now the Care4 Breast Cancer 5K benefiting Family Health Partnership Clinic, was created. (See side bar for more on FHPC and how they have evolved to where they are today).
Walking into Family Health Partnership Clinic, with the walls covered with photos and memorabilia from races past, it is easy to see the impact Molly has made and the feelings of love and gratitude toward here are obvious and infectious. One woman whose focus has always been on education, prevention and serving those whose resources are limited continues to be a a fierce advocate in our community and beacon of light to encourage us to do the same.
Care4 Breast Cancer 5k
The Care4 Breast Cancer 5k benefits Family Health Partnership Clinic and its mission to provide high quality health care services to the uninsured adults of McHenry County, delivered with compassion and respect.
The first event, held in 2001 at Lippold Park in Crystal Lake, hosted 262 participants and raised $5200. An amazing feat for an inaugural event. Each consecutive year saw additional participants, spectators and the need for more volunteers. The race outgrew Lippold Park and has since been relocated to the streets of Woodstock with the start and finish at Woodstock North High School.
In 2023, over 1700 runners and walkers participated in the event, made possible with the support of over 300 volunteers, and raised $215k, providing uninsured neighbors in our community access to life-saving health care.
With these funds, Family Health Partnership Clinic is able to provide over 300 mammograms each year, including a monthly, all-day screening event at Northwestern Woodstock Hospital. Last year alone, 9 women diagnosed with breast cancer.
This year's 5k event takes place on October 20th.
