2025 UMass Cancer Walk 

Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025  
 
The event will be held rain or shine.

Can’t make it on Walk Day? You can still register, fundraise and walk on a day that works best for you.

Whether you walk as an individual, join a team, or support a participant, you are contributing to the fight against cancer.

Location 

Polar Park, 100 Madison St, Worcester, MA 01608 

Schedule of events

Times are approximate.

  • 8 a.m. – Gates open and walkers are welcome. Coffee and breakfast items available for purchase 
  • 9 a.m. – Survivor Lap
  • 9:20 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies
  • 10 a.m. – Walk begins 

Route map and length

The 3-mile walk starts and ends at Polar Park. Route Map

Walkers also have the option to walk inside of the warning track (clay perimeter around the baseball field) at their leisure. 

Registration  

All participants are required to register to attend the in-person event. You can register as an individual or form a team. We encourage our participants to recruit their family, friends and colleagues to sign up and be fundraisers. Teams consist of two or more people who are raising money toward the same fundraising goal. 

Registration fee

The registration fee is $20 for individual walkers over 12 years of age. Children 12 and younger can register for free.

Registration deadline 

Registration closes at noon on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Day-of registration is $25 for everyone over the age of 12. 

Refund policy

Refunds are not permitted. 

T-shirt prize

The first 500 individuals to raise $150 on their personal fundraising page (not team totals) will receive an exclusive 2025 tri-blend event T-shirt.

Food, drinks and snacks

Behind the Plate concession stand will be open and offer breakfast in the morning and lunch in the afternoon. 

In addition, thanks to generous sponsors, snacks and fruit will be available at Polar Park. 

Celebrating superheroes

Once again this year, we will be honoring patients, family members, healthcare providers, researchers, sponsors and volunteers—and you—with our superhero theme. By raising money and taking part in the walk, you have the “power” to save the lives of cancer patients. Superheroes may make appearances and participants are encouraged to dress up as superheroes! 

Fun for the whole family

Walkers of all ages are welcome to take part in the walk. Children’s activities will be available on the concourse and will feature a face painter and crafts. 

Entering Polar Park

Gate D will be open to pre-registered participants and non-registered participants.  

  • Pre-registered: Please have your QR code ready to be scanned at Gate D (right side lane).
    • QR codes will be emailed to participants on Saturday, Sept. 28. You can screenshot your QR code for check-in purposes.
  • Non-registered: Please check in at the registration table at Gate D (left side lane).

Exit/Re-entry

Guests may not exit and re-enter Polar Park using the same QR code. However, in the case of an emergency, please ask an event staff or volunteer for assistance. 

More information 

More information, including the route and parking, is being finalized. Check back as updates will be posted on this page.

Why take part? 

Your commitment to raise funds to support the UMass Cancer Walk is vital to the researchers and physician-scientists at UMass Chan Medical School. 
  
Your efforts enable them to focus on critical research, including clinical trials, that have the potential to change the lives of those with cancer. The funds you raise will help us develop groundbreaking cancer therapies and treatments. Your participation provides hope to those who need it most.

History 

Dottie Manning witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of cancer. First, she and her husband Dan Manning Sr. lost their son Danny to the disease in 1994. More devastating loss followed just two years later, when Dan Sr. lost his battle. 
  
It was then that Dottie and family friend Bob Haynes decided it was time to take a stand. Together, they started a large-scale fundraising event to fight cancer, and in 1999 the walk was born. Since then, the UMass Cancer Walk has become the largest, one-day, single-location fundraising event in our area. The effect has been tremendous. Supporters like you have raised more than $17 million. 

Polar Park Information

Accessibility

Accessible seating, along with adjacent companion seating, are points of pride at Polar Park. Drop-off points on Madison Street and at the rounded corner of Washington and Ash streets provide some of the best proximity and accessibility in baseball. 
 
Polar Park has seats that pivot to create space for attendees in wheelchairs, while their companions sit in seats next to them. Another feature is at the end of select rows, where an armrest lifts to create more space for someone to enter the row. And every seating category caters to those with special needs. 
 
Guests with disabilities or who use mobility aids will find special accommodations in Sections 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 12 concourse level, 12 field level, 13, 101, and 202. 
 
Additionally, Section 16, Row 20, provides extraordinary legroom, dedicated to families with autistic individuals if they prefer this option. 
 
If you require special accommodations or assistance, please contact cancerwalk@umassmed.edu prior to the event.

Animals 

Service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are welcome at Polar Park, provided they are accompanied by the handler, trained to provide a service to the handler, and leashed at all times. 

Non-service animals are not allowed at Polar Park.

ATM 

ATMs are not available inside Polar Park, but one is located across Madison Street at UniBank.

Capacity 

Polar Park’s official capacity is 9,508 individuals. We do not anticipate the 2025 event to come close to this capacity limit.

Carry-in policy

Outside food and beverages may not be brought into Polar Park. Exceptions will be made where necessary for attendees with food allergies or dietary restrictions. 
 
Bags 5”x9” in size or smaller, parental bags and bags containing medically necessary supplies are permitted in Polar Park. 
 
In addition, the following items are among those not permitted to be brought into Polar Park:

  • Aerosol cans (e.g., mace, pepper spray, hairspray, etc.)
  • Air horns
  • Animals (except service animals or pets on special pet promotional days)
  • Bags that are large (beach bags, large purses, duffle bags, suitcases, etc.)
  • Binocular cases
  • Bottles made of glass
  • Cameras with detachable lenses, lenses 6” or longer, and camera cases
  • Cans
  • Carts 
  • Coolers
  • Cycles or bicycles (they are permitted as a form of transportation to the ballpark, but they are not permitted inside the ballpark)
  • Fireworks 
  • Food or drink (with exceptions noted above in this carry-in policy)
  • Glass
  • GoPros or similar recording devices
  • Hard containers
  • Illegal drugs
  • Large bags (Beach bags, large purses, duffle bags, suitcases, etc.)
  • Laser pointers
  • Megaphones/noise amplifiers
  • Noisemakers/horns
  • Poles longer than 6”
  • Recreational equipment (skates, skateboards, etc.)
  • Seats or chairs of any kind 
  • Selfie sticks
  • Signs are not permitted that are: larger than 24” x 24”; impair the view of others; are not in good taste; use profanity, offensive words or that promote political partisanship
  • Signs are not permitted to be hung by attendees on banners on structures
  • Smoke bombs
  • Tripods
  • Unauthorized solicitation, handbills, giveaways, or sampling (without permission)
  • Video or audio recording equipment for unauthorized commercial purposes

All bags, clutches and purses are subject to inspection upon entering the venue.

Concessions 

Credit cards are accepted at all fixed concession stands. Cash is accepted at some registers.

Drones

Guests are prohibited from using or possessing unmanned aircraft or radio-controlled model aircraft in Polar Park or anywhere on or within the airspace of Polar Park property.

Code of conduct 

The UMass Cancer Walk and Polar Park are committed to providing an enjoyable, safe, family-oriented experience during the event. Those who do not observe our Code of Conduct, as determined by the park and event organizers, will be asked to leave, and where applicable, may incur criminal or civil penalties.

  • Alcohol/drugs 
  • The organization reserves the right to deny entrance or escort from Polar Park any guest who:
    • Appears intoxicated or impaired by alcohol, drugs or other controlled substances.
    • Is under the age of 21 and possesses alcoholic beverages.
    • Facilitates underage drinking.
    • Possesses illegal drugs.
  • Clothing/Body Art
    • Attendees may not wear obscene, profane or indecent clothing.
    • Attendees must wear a shirt and shoes inside the park.
  • Emergencies 
    • The organization reserves the right to remove anyone who fails to comply with any request from staff, volunteers or law enforcement personnel regarding event or park operations or emergency response procedures. 

First aid

For immediate treatment, please see a staff member or volunteer, or visit the UMass Memorial First Aid Room located in the Country Bank Fan Services Center.

Firearms 

Weapons of any kind, including knives and firearms, are not permitted on Polar Park property.

Lost and found

Lost and found items should be taken to (and can be retrieved from) the Country Bank Fan Services Center. If you have lost an item at Polar Park, please send an email to cancerwalk@umassmed.edu and/or info@polarpark.com.  

Nursing rooms

Nursing mothers are welcome at the designated Nursing Room located in Polar Park. Please see a staff member for assistance. The Nursing Room can be locked from the inside and is equipped with an electrical outlet, a lounge chair, a side table and a television.  

Parking 

Downtown Worcester has more than 7,300 spaces within a 5–10-minute walk of Polar Park. Lots and garages owned by the City of Worcester have spaces priced at $6, $10, or $15, depending on proximity to the ballpark. Some of the largest include the McGrath Blvd. lot behind the Worcester Public Library, the Union Station Garage and the Worcester Common Garage. For a detailed map of parking areas and more information regarding parking and transportation, please visit polarpark.com/parking.

Restrooms

Polar Park has ample restrooms on each level, including family and gender-neutral restrooms. 

  • Family restrooms: Family restrooms are designed for attendees with small children, attendees with disabilities, and attendees seeking a gender-neutral facility. All family restrooms are accessible and equipped with baby changing tables. 
  • Gender-neutral restrooms: Polar Park has restrooms designed for attendees with small children, attendees with disabilities, and attendees seeking a gender-neutral facility. In addition to those located throughout the ballpark. 

Security

Polar Park and the UMass Cancer Walk seek to provide a safe, family-friendly environment. Event staff and volunteers will be present to assist attendees. If security is needed, please send a text to the Polar Park Security hotline at 978-627-7594, notify the nearest staff member or visit the Country Bank Fan Services Center.

Smoking/vaping policy 

For the health and comfort of all attendees, smoking/vaping is prohibited in Polar Park, including concourses, seating sections, restrooms, suites and group areas. Attendees who smoke may check in with staff at Gate C (the Rodenhiser Gate) and exit the park to smoke and then return.

Strollers 

Strollers are permitted inside and outside of the park.