She does not define herself by her history and battles with cancer over the past 30+ years. She does, however, let the disease motivate her to act as a fundraiser, a mentor for cancer patients, and a strong advocate for cancer awareness, research, proactive care for early detection, and clinical trials.
At the age of 81, Cookie Finkelstein has had six bouts of cancer, unrelated to each other. “I’m an anomaly to doctors. None of these were metastatic or led to one another,” she said, citing two battles with breast cancer, followed by lung, bladder, chronic leukemia and melanoma. Despite her health events, Cookie is a very energetic, sociable, and active person.
A resident of South Bay at Mount Pleasant in Charleston, Cookie is one of a 24-member team representing the senior living community in LOWVELO. The annual fundraiser supports the innovative and life-saving cancer research at the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. It is the only National Center Institute-designated cancer center in South Carolina.
This year is the sixth anniversary of LOWVELO and the second time alternative participation for senior living residents has been offered. Last year, a pilot program was developed and implemented specifically by and for South Bay at Mount Pleasant. It was a resounding success. The senior living community’s team finished among the top ten fundraisers.
The official fundraising concept of the event had been for cyclists to earn sponsorships or donations for biking in their choice of one of five different routes varying in length. Because residents of South Bay at Mount Pleasant wanted to participate in fundraising, but via a goal aligned with their fitness level, an alternative option was devised. Residents were encouraged to set their own fitness objectives based on their choice of activity. This year not only was the option repeated, but it was also made available to other senior living communities and schools.
Earlier this year, South Bay of Mount Pleasant residents developed and tracked their fitness and fundraising goals for this year’s LOWVELO. They primarily chose to walk and did so, tracking their mileage or laps indoors, in the pool, on NuStep equipment, or outside. In addition to the resident participation, Sean Davis, the executive director of South Bay, and Comfort Richardson, the wellness director, participated in the actual LOWVELO ride.
Cookie set her goal of walking a total of 50 miles but stopped tracking it after she had far surpassed the objective. “I’m very motivated because of the cause, and the team spirit here was wonderful,” she said. Because she has difficulty asking people for money, she donated her $1,000 goal herself.
To date, the South Bay team has raised $8,950 for LOWVELO 2024. The total is likely to top $10,000 by January 1st as donations keep coming in. Comfort said that the residents at South Bay are people who have been active volunteers for their entire lives and are proud to have had this opportunity to support this cause and give back to the greater community.
