Walkers Raise $375,000 In ‘Making Strides’ Event

WESTPORT — More than 4,000 co-workers, family. and friends from throughout Southwestern Connecticut joined together on October 14 to fight breast cancer by participating in the American Cancer Society’s eighth annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

The five-mile walk at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport was one of many community programs and activities offered by the American Cancer Society in celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Making Strides walkers raised $375,000 in pledges.

Funds raised will support the American Cancer Society’s programs of breast cancer research, early detection, and prevention education, and support programs for local breast cancer patients and their families.

“Making Strides Against Breast Cancer gives everyone – young, old, men, women, and children – an opportunity to raise money to fight the disease,” said Michelle Wolf, American Cancer Society regional executive for cancer control. Making Strides participants are often motivated by personal experiences with breast cancer, family members and friends who have endured this disease, or by the desire to make a difference in the fight.

Those who have struggled with breast cancer were encouraged to write and read messages of hope displayed on the Wall of Inspiration, erected in honor and remembrance of women who have fought the disease. Three seven-foot Ribbon of Hope balloon sculptures served as reminders that breast cancer awareness is crucial if we are to eradicate this disease.

Making Strides allows the American Cancer Society to continue to provide mammography and early detection education to the public as well as specifically targeted programs for at-risk populations: women over 40, minority, and under-served and lower-income women. In addition, the event funds promising research related to the etiology and ultimate cure for the disease.

Funds raised will also support the Society’s 800-ACS-2345 information line and extensive website – www.cancer.org – available 24 hours a day, seven days a week year round. The new Cancer Survivors Network (CSN), 877-333-HOPE, is an interactive voice response system designed by and for cancer patients and their families to offer support and allow them to share personal experiences.

A portion of the dollars raised by Making Strides will be used to fund “Tell A Friend,” an American Cancer Society early detection education program for under served communities. Cingular Wireless donated cell phones and volunteer Tell A Friend callers were recruited at the Making Strides event; they made phone calls to their family and friends and encouraged them to get their annual mammogram. This peer counseling strategy gives women the motivation and support they need to get screened – early detection can save lives. If treated early, breast cancer is 96 percent curable and there are an estimated 1.6 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States today.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. In the United States, 192,200 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, along with 1,500 men. In Connecticut, there will be 2,500 women diagnosed with breast cancer, and more than 500 women in our state are expected to die from the disease this year. Simply being a woman and growing older are the leading risk factors for breast cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends a three-pronged approach to breast health; monthly breast self exams, clinical breast exams, and mammography. Women with a family history of the disease should speak to their doctor about an appropriate early detection schedule.

“Clearly, we are making progress in saving lives from breast cancer,” said Ms Wolf. “It is our goal to continue to reach out to local communities to ease the burden and to offer hope, progress and answers, to improve patients’ quality of life and, ultimately, to eliminate cancer as a major health threat.” Since 1990, breast cancer mortality rates continue to decline.

“Making Strides gives all of us a chance to demonstrate our resolve to finish the job of wiping out breast cancer,” Ms Wolf said.

For more information about breast cancer and other cancers, or to make a donation, call the American Cancer Society at 800-889-3340.