North County Relay for Life Engenders Hope for Cancer Cure

	Cancer survivors and their families take the first lap around the track at Noel Field Athletic Complex for the annual Northern Berkshire Relay for Life. Left, Christine Girard marks three months cancer free.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Hundreds of area residents began their annual march round and round the walking track at the Noel Field Athletic Complex  on Friday night to raise money for cancer research and patient support.

Nearly 900 participants in Northern Berkshire Relay for Life this year alone have raised more than $100,000 for the American Cancer Society.

"We have gathered as a community determined that those who are facing cancer will be supported, that those who lost their battle will not be forgotten and that together we will continue to fight back so that one day no one in our community will hear those dreaded words, 'you've got cancer,'" said Laura Baran, community executive with the Cancer Society and program manager for the local Relay.

Her voice breaking with emotion, Baran said she was "humbled by all of you and a community that blows me away year after year by their dedication to a cause that means so much to me."

It was a tight-knit community that had also rallied around Christine Girard, who proudly displayed her survivor "certificate" of being cancer free for three months.

"I am a newborn ... 3 months!" she said, taking the stage as the evening's survivor speaker. Many people had come up to her saying she had inspired them but Girard said it was the opposite. "It's not me, it's you — you're inspiring. ... You came together to get me through this."

Everyone there had a story about their cancer, she said, but the one they had in common was it wasn't expected.

"It all of a sudden comes knocking on your door, kinda like your AARP card that you keep wanting to send back because you're not that old. ... but you can't send it back."

Dr. Paul Rosenthal spoke of breakthroughs in cancer research and the new $30 million cancer center being built in Pittsfield — not Boston.

He recalled that at last year's Relay, his frustration at the obstacles put in the way of getting first-class cancer treatments for his patients by Medicare and insurers had led him to title his talk "I Want a New Job."

His hopes have been by raised last August's announcement of a $30 million cancer center being built on the campus of Hillcrest Hospital in Pittsfield and recent breakthroughs in mapping DNA mutations in cancer cells, which is opening the door to "personalized treatments."

"Each individual's tumor will be analyzed for DNA mutations; the treatment will be dictated by the mutations found," said Rosenthal. "This is just the tip of the iceberg."

The cancer center is expected to attract "a critical mass of specialist under one roof" and aid in the recruitment of oncologists, including Williamstown native Dr. Trevor Bayliss, who is joining the practice this summer. Rosenthal said he couldn't name names yet but Berkshire Health Systems will be affiliating with a cancer center that has a "world-class reputation" in the type of tailored cancer treatments of which he had spoken.

"It's an exciting time to be in this field and in Berkshire County," said Rosenthal. "Instead of I want a new job, I've found a new job."

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.