From confusion to coordinated care Baribeau confirmed that a lot has changed since Lucy Giuggio was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 at the age of 38. Back then there was no Internet to turn to for research. No Comprehensive Breast Health Center at Baystate Medical Center to provide information and guidance. No Regional Cancer Program to turn to for treatment options. No Cancer House of Hope or Cancer Connection programs to provide support services to patients and their families. There was just the newly diagnosed patient and a lot of confusing, frightening questions. Baribeau said Giuggio was left to figure out such important treatment questions as "What's the next step? Where do I go? Whom should I speak to?" on her own. The walk founded by a then bewigged Giuggio in 1994 she was in the midst of treatment by that October was dedicated to making sure other women and their families weren't left to face a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment alone. "Today, when I was diagnosed almost six years ago, the Internet was a great place to go to get information," Baribeau said. "But that doesn't make it any less important that the Rays of Hope has resources right here, that you can pick up the phone ant talk to someone who has been through [a breast cancer diagnosis]." "Rays of Hope can help you sort it out," she said. According to information provided by Rays of Hope, in the 15 years since the walk's inception the event has raised $6.5 million. Of those monies, $1.1 million has gone to fund local breast cancer research performed at Baystate Medical Center and at the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute. The walk has also funded ongoing breast health programs at Baystate Regional Cancer Program's Comprehensive Breast Center, at Baystate Franklin Medical Center, Baystate Mary Lane Hospital and through community organizations including Cancer House of Hope and Cancer Connection. "It's really because of the community that [the walk] is still here," Giuggio Carvalho said. "It's the individual walkers who raise the money ...$6.5 million . that's how much the community has supported Rays of Hope."