The largest borough event honoring breast cancer survivors and raising money to find a cure is coming up.
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, hosted by the American Cancer Society, will be held this year at Orchard Beach on Sunday, October 21. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the walk is at 9:30 a.m.
Last year, more than 10,000 participants took part and raised more than $575,000 at the borough’s event, said Nitisha Moore, American Cancer Society Bronx community development manager.
Moore said that teams of walkers have participated in the non-competitive event, including those formed by individuals, as well as from schools, churches, local businesses, community groups such as the NAACP, and participants in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign.
The walk takes place on a 3.2 mile route on the Orchard Beach Promenade and the adjacent and scenic Hunter Island nature trail, said Moore.
While there is no fee to register and the whole community is welcome to participate, the American Cancer Society would love those who take part to help with the fundraising, said Moore.
“Fundraising is not all we do but without it we can do nothing,” said Moore.
The money raised at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk helps fund cancer research and programs, and helps people in the borough with cancer diagnosis, such as those who have lost their hair during treatment and need wigs that are provided at the organization’s local headquarters at 2426 Eastchester Road, she said.
The raising of money is especially poignant in the borough where this fundraising takes on the form of a grassroots movement, rather than individuals writing checks.
“This just brings so much pride especially when you consider the median salary of many of our Bronx survivors,” she said, “These are people who have passion and who care.”
The people of the borough use their ‘community know-how’ to raise money.
“They sell cupcakes, they sell pink bracelets at their churches and workplaces, and we have some our largest fundraisers in our schools.”
Moore said that while many schools raise funds for the walk, which go entirely towards funding breast cancer research and programs for people with cancer, a shout out should go to P.S. 153 in Co-op City which has raised between $10,000 to $12,000 and holds an hour and a half dance to raise the funds.
Another of the biggest supporters of the Making Strides walk is NYPD Bronx Goes Pink, with borough police precincts signing up teams and holding a competition to see what precincts can raise the most money.
Historically borough cops raise between $15,000 and $20,000 each year, she said.
Montefiore is a huge supporter of the non-competitive Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which takes place all over the country, mostly on Sunday, October 21.
“Montefiore is our presenting sponsor,” said Moore. “They sponsor our kickoff breakfast where we host all of our team leaders; they give us a $25,000 check and then raise another $20,000 within their system.”
Avon is a national sponsor for the event, she said, and fields up to 300 participants for the borough’s walk.
Moore said that pre-registration at www.makin
