(7/25) Thurmont’s annual Gateway to the Cure readies for another year of community wide support as it kicks off its 9th annual fundraising efforts toward breast cancer research this October.

Thurmont’s Gateway to the Cure has raised more than $100,00 over nearly a decade for cancer research and cancer victim support programs at Frederick Memorial Hospital, even throughout the pandemic. The dedicated funds raised to date have come from multiple sources involving the Thurmont business community, with several new fundraisers added over the last several years, including the Covered Bridge 5K, and Gateway to the Cure Golf Classic.

The Covered Bridge 5K, now in its 8th year in a row, is scheduled for October 16, as it has been deemed safe to hold because the participants are spread-out over the course or tend to participate in cliques or small family groups.

The 5K route begins and ends at Eyler Park.

Additionally, still scheduled is the Second Annual Golf Classic, to be held on October 9 at the Maple Run Golf Club.

There is an $85 per-golfer fee, which includes 18-holes of golf, a cart, a goodies bag, catered lunch, and awards.

Last year in a never before seen event, all Golf Classic winners donated their winnings back to the fundraiser.

Golfers can go to thurmontmainstreet.com to register for the September 23 Golf Classic tournament. Sponsorships are starting to come in and as a reminder, anyone can sponsor a golf hole for $100 or become a top Tier Pink Ball Sponsor, not just Thurmont businesses. GTTC benefits the entire county, so anyone is welcome to participate.

Another source of funds which will continue are those raised by local businesses who donate a percentage of their sales, or the sale of a specified product for a certain period. Some 40-plus businesses have participated annually in this fundraising effort, she stated. The October campaign with the business community is the core of Gateway to the Cure.

The golf specials are always one of the highlights of the tournament. We have the usual closest to the pin, longest drive, and our pink ball challenge. This year, Missy Grimes the chairperson for the event has a new special-Ping pong mystery club ball.

Back by popular demand, the Pink Pumpkin decorating contest will return to showcase the artistic talents of the community.

Gateway officials hope to see more pink lights lit during the month of October in Thurmont, or anywhere for that matter. Cousins Ace Hardware, Hobbs Lumber and Hardware along with the Thurmont Town Office will be selling them around the third week of September.

Gateway To The Cure touches lives in Frederick County and all proceeds from all the events are donated to The Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund.

"We are hoping for another good year and cannot thank the businesses, volunteers, and all the residents and those who support this most worthy cause benefiting families in Frederick County and those travelling to Frederick Health from outside the county," Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder said.

Since the campaigns kick off, organizations and individuals throughout the community alike have come together flocking in support.

The Patty Hurwitz Fund began in 1999, after Hurwitz was diagnosed with breast cancer. The fund is used to support early cancer detection methods at the Stockman Cancer Institute in Frederick, which provides access to the diagnostics County residents need without having to travel far from home

Local businesses have always been the heart and soul of the campaign for breast cancer awareness, showcasing continual support even through the pandemic when many businesses had to shut down and restaurants could only have takeout sales for months on end.

In 2020, Gateway to the Cure carried on raising $15,300 despite the pandemic forcing some events to cancel and fewer businesses being able to participate.

All funds collected stay local for Frederick County breast cancer research and early dedication. To date, the Patty Hurwitz Fund has collected a total of $2.3 million and "$116,000 of that is from Thurmont," she said. Last year as the total funds were counted, Hurwitz congratulated the Town of Thurmont for reaching such an outstanding milestone for such a small town. "There’s a saying, ‘You are as big as your heart is,’ so I would say you are a really big town," she said.

"The fact that this little town has collectively achieved $100,000 in funds raised in support of research funds, that’s phenomenal, that’s no small change," said Coach John Steiner, organizer of the campaign’s 5K.