The American Cancer Society officially kicked off its third campaign for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Mansfield coming up on Oct. 25.
The Kobacker Room at Ed Pickens’ Café on Main was decked out in pink on Tuesday morning as representatives from the American Cancer Society, breast cancer survivors and members of the community gathered to garner support and excitement for the upcoming walk.
“For those of you participating in your first walk this year, you can see there is fun coming,” said Shawna Borkoski, Senior Representative of Community Engagement for the American Cancer Society.
Since 1993, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has been the American Cancer Society’s rallying cry to build awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. In that time, 10 million walkers have collected more than $594 million to invest in groundbreaking cancer research to find, prevent, treat and cure the disease. In 2013, more than 600 walkers in Mansfield helped to raise more than $33,000 for the American Cancer Society.
“Many of the research breakthroughs we’ve made and patient service programs we’ve implemented as well as so many lives that we’ve saved from breast cancer are thanks to the dollars that walkers and sponsors raise through the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk,” said Chelley Kemper of Mix 106/WMFD Television. “Without you, none of what we talk about this morning would be possible.”
Kemper shared that 8,710 women in Ohio will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, joining the 232,670 women diagnosed across the country. A 13-year breast cancer survivor herself, Kemper led the group in a moment of silence in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to breast cancer and noted progress is being made to discover behaviors that prevent breast cancer as well as new treatments to beat it.
“Every year this kickoff sparks wonderful memories of strong, inspirational women that I personally know that have fought breast cancer and also died from the disease,” she said. “Breast cancer survivors are the inspiration, the reason we do this every year.”
One of those survivors attended Tuesday morning’s breakfast and spoke about the importance of providing comprehensive support to patients and caregivers. Jeannine McGlaughlin was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer six years ago, and said at first she felt overwhelmed by her diagnosis.
“After you hear the word ‘cancer,’ you don’t hear anything else,” she remembered. “The doctor is in there still talking and it’s like I was in the ‘Peanuts’ cartoon in the classroom with the teacher talking. You don’t hear anything after that word.”
McGlaughlin said through the American Cancer Society’s programs such as Reach for Recovery and Look Good, Feel Better, she was able to receive help throughout her treatment and recovery.
“I am very passionate about these programs because without these programs, people like me wouldn’t have those resources and help to help me through my journey,” she said. “To me they’re very important, and these events help fund those. My wish is of course one day there is a cure for cancer, but until we get there we still need these programs and resources that help cancer patients with whatever needs that they have.”
Shelby Mayor Marilyn John, who at the age of 19 lost her mother to cancer, offered advice to those present on how to raise funds from now until the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in October. Last year the city of Shelby formed its own team and raised funds through selling t-shirts and offering a Zumba class downtown.
“Keep it simple; be reasonable and realistic, because every dollar makes an impact,” said John. “We wanted people on the team that were passionate about finding a cure for breast cancer, and the people who are most passionate are people that are directly impacted by breast cancer. It doesn’t have to take up a lot of your time, and the impact can be for someone like Jeannine. It just takes a little bit of time, and all of you can do it.”
Each attendee on Tuesday morning was asked to think of their motivation for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, whether it be in honor of a survivor, in memory of a loved one lost, or their own breast cancer experience. Borkoski noted in light of the difficult battle of breast cancer, participating in the walk was easy in comparison.
“When the day comes when breast cancer is a thing of the past, and believe me that day is coming, you’ll be able to look back and say you were a part of that,” said Borkoski. “You did what you had to do and you had the power to change the world, and used that power to help finish the fight.”
To sign up to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Oct. 25, visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/mansfield.
