Making Strides Walk Against Breast Cancer

American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in NYC 

A few weeks ago I shared the story of how I lost my 89-year-old grandmother in June 2011 after a long, terrifying, difficult, and sad fight against breast cancer. My grandmother would have turned 90-years-old on October 24th, so I am going to be a participant in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Walk Against Breast Cancer in New York City later this month. I’ll be representing my grandmother, but also standing up with millions of other women and men as we each walk in our own cities and help to spread awareness and raise funding for a cure. 

The ACS Making Strides walks will be happening in communities around the nation throughout the month of October. I am sure there is a Making Strides walk in your city, or possibly more than one to choose from depending on your area. Here in New York City, I was able to input my zip code and came up with a dozen different results within a 20-mile radius. Of course I could go a little farther, but I will be participating in a local walk in Queens, New York since several friends and family members will be joining me. 

There are several different ways that you can make a difference through Making Strides volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in walking in your city, sign up as an individual walker! Want to walk with a group of girlfriends or coworkers? Consider organizing a Making Strides team! If you would love to help out, but walking is not in the cards at this time, Making Strides would LOVE to have you on as an event volunteer! 

Whether or not you are able to attend a local Making Strides walk in your city, you can help. Donating is very easy and definitely a great option for those that would love to make a difference, but cannot participate in this years Making Strides walks with the American Cancer Society. Last October was very difficult for me and I was unable to attend our local Making Strides walks in New York City. Therefore, I logged onto the official website and submitted a donation. I was able to request that my grandmothers name be used on the public donation wall, which was a great way for me to honor my grandmother on her birthday.

You can find Making Strides Breast Cancer walks in your city and register as an individual, team, event volunteer, or submit a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer donation and your participation will go a long way. Making Strides became an official event through the American Cancer Society in 1993, but has a deep and meaningful history. I’ve decided to participate in this walk since I know how hard ACS works year round to educate, support, and fight for a cause. 

Breast cancer survivor, Margery Gould Rath was looking to raise funds for the American Cancer Society and celebrate with her fellow survivors back in 1984. Margie created a "move-along-a-thon" with several committee members, survivors, and other volunteers, which they called "Making Strides Against Cancer". In an effort to bring people together and move the fight against cancer forward, Margie organized the first event in Boston, which drew in 200 participants and became an instant annual tradition for the city. 

Since Margie’s foundering of this idea, over 8 million walkers have participated in Making Strides events in nearly 300 communities across the nation. We’ve raised more than $460 million in the fight against breast cancer, but the battle is far from over. Margie remained a dedicated volunteer of Making Strides until she lost her battle in 2001. 

I’ll be walking in honor of my grandmother on October 21st as I celebrate her beautiful life, strength and determination, but also what would have been her 91st birthday. I’m fighting for my grandmother and the others that have lost the battle because they cannot be here to stand up against breast cancer anymore. I want to hear about a cure for breast cancer in my lifetime, so I will be doing my part in hopes that the small strides I can make as an individual will eventually create a domino effect and present significant results in research. 

How will you support the fight against breast cancer?

Have you considered submitting a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer donation?

Your donation will go a long way. There isn’t any words I can possibly find If you are interested in supporting the cause, I would love to add you onto my list of supporters! You can submit a donation and help me reach my goal through my Making Strides donation page. I really appreciate your donation in support of my efforts as a walker for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Your contribution will directly help the American Cancer Society create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays through breast cancer research, free information and services for those fighting the disease, and access to mammograms for women who need them. I am very grateful to have readers like you in my life who care about such an important cause. Thank you for supporting me!

In addition to the various resources provided up above, I have gathered some great knowledge and information that you can use to learn more about this amazing cause. I’ll continue to update my readers with the best resources available throughout the entire month of October as we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Making Strides has always been my first and best go-to resource for up to date knowledge, support, and news circulating around the fight against breast cancer. 

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS) via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the American Cancer Society (ACS).