Woburn Sixth Grader Holds Yard Sales to Raise Money for Winchester Hospital’s Cancer Center

Winchester, Mass. – Twelve year-old Janessa DeCata of Woburn enjoys helping others. So when her grandfather was recently admitted to Winchester Hospital for a short stay, she got the idea to raise money for the hospital’s comprehensive community cancer center being developed at 620 Washington St. in Winchester.
 
Janessa, who lost a classmate and several family friends to cancer, raised $130 at a yard sale in May by selling jewelry and collecting donations with her cousin, 12-year-old Karley Skutul of Methuen. Janessa collected an additional $70 at a second yard sale, at which she sold more jewelry, her outgrown clothes and shoes, sheets and blankets, and household items.
 
“A Woburn police officer stopped to give me a donation and tell me good luck. That made me feel good,” said Janessa, a high honor student in the sixth grade at Kennedy Middle School in Woburn. “The people at Winchester Hospital were really nice when my grandfather was sick. I’m glad I can help other people feel better.”
 
Gynecologic oncologist Arlan Fuller Jr., MD, clinical vice president for the integration of oncology services and academic affiliations, said it was his pleasure to accept Janessa’s donation on behalf of Winchester Hospital.
 
“If everyone shared Janessa’s values of care and thoughtfulness toward one another, what a different world it would be,” said Dr. Fuller.
 
Winchester Hospital’s comprehensive community cancer center project is the first phase of a larger $50 million project, which includes an ambulatory surgery center and enhancements to its main campus located at 41 Highland Avenue in Winchester. Funding for the project will be generated through fundraising efforts, and a portion of the necessary funds will be borrowed. Construction will span approximately 14 months, with the opening planned next summer.
 
About Winchester Hospital
Winchester Hospital is the first community hospital in Massachusetts to earn Magnet recognition, the American Nurses Association’s highest honor for nursing excellence. As the northwest suburban Boston area’s leading provider of comprehensive health care services, the 229-bed facility provides care in general, bariatric and vascular surgery, orthopedics, pediatrics, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, oncology, gastroenterology, rehabilitation, radiation oncology, pain management, obstetrics/gynecology and a Level IIB Special Care Nursery. Winchester Hospital has clinical affiliations with several nationally recognized hospitals in the region, including Children’s Hospital Boston, Tufts Medical Center and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. To learn more, visit www.winchesterhospital.org.

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