Breast Cancer Awareness month is in full stride nationally. On Saturday, over 600 community members showed their support for Breast Cancer research and services through the third annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Run/Walk in downtown Mansfield.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer estimates that the chances for a woman contracting some form of invasive breast cancer sometime during her life is about 1 in 8. Furthermore, there are about 2.9 million breast cancer survivors in America.
The non-competitive 5K walk or run commenced in the Carrousel District on Main Street at 10 a.m. Miss Ohio Mackenzie Bart stopped by to sing the national anthem outside of the Richland Carrousel just before the event. The total participants reached roughly over 600, said Terri Kangas, American Cancer Society representative.
Kangas and Jeannine Lemus were present at the 5K with a tent full of Making Strides merchandise, answering questions about the morning’s route, which meandered around downtown Mansfield. Most participants walked the route, but some of them, like Kody Davis a student at Madison Middle School, ran.
“I’m just here to support what’s going on,” Davis said upon his motivation for running. The sentiment, if not expressed out loud, was certainly echoed by the participation of others.
Along with Davis were some of his fellow classmates from the middle school in Madison. Some of them were part of the OCC Leadership Team who raised $300 for the cause. They raised the money through a bake sale and selling pink shirts made by STARTEK.
“I’m so proud of the Madison kids,” said Jen Steffey, one of the school’s OCC Leadership Advisers and the 9 through 12 grade Physical Education teacher. “They’re awesome kids. There were like 30 kids from the school that came out just to support the cause. Others were disappointed they couldn’t come. These are kids who came out here on a Saturday morning, which is awesome,” she added.
Making Strides’ goal is to reach $45,000 in donations by December 31 that will later benefit research and services for breast cancer patients. According to their website, 545 individuals registered for the 5K, which amounted to 58 teams and $13,887.21. Kangas said that number jolted up past 600 the morning of, and the net worth of donations reached $20,000.
“I’m so proud to be a part of this. It’s grown so much over the years and it’s just good to see so much community support,” said Kangas.
OhioHealth MedCentral was also part of the 5K event, bringing approximately 200 people broken into 11 teams that represented different sections of hospitals around the area. Between all the groups, there were three bakes sales that raised nearly $3,000 for the cause. Some teams ran raffles.
Oncology Nurse Navigator for OhioHealth Pam Frederick worked on organizing the groups. She has been with OhioHealth for 17 years. She said being part of the event is especially rewarding.
“I work with breast cancer patients every day, and my cousin and several friends have had breast cancer. I am happy to help do this sort of thing, to get behind them. The support in Richland County for breast cancer is good,” said Frederick.
Sponsors for this event included Graham Auto Mall, Richland Source, STARTEK, OhioHealth, and Mid-State Multimedia Group. Donations are still being accepted through December 31 on the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’s website.
