Meet the top fund-raiser for Springfield’s breast cancer walk

Meet Linda Getz.

This Springfield woman is a six-year cancer survivor and part of the lead-fundraising team for Saturday’s Making Strides 5K walk in Springfield.

“The first year I did the walk for a friend. Then I had a mammogram and was diagnosed myself,” Getz said. “So this is dear to my heart.”

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Getz has participated in the Making Strides event every year since with an annual fund-raising goal of $3,000, and this year her team The Rack Stars is the lead fund-raising team so far.

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How did The Rack Stars do it?

The walking team includes Getz and some of her friends, with about 50 others who have helped contribute in some way.

To work toward their fund-raising goal, they’ve sold T-shirts, planned a dine-to-donate night at Chipotle, a LulaRoe shopping fund-raiser as well as several Zumbathon/danceathon fund-raisers throughout September.

“We had something going on every weekend in September,” said Getz, a Zumba instructor at the YMCA and at Springfield Manor.

This year, Getz will take part in her seventh walk and views this is a way to give back and celebrate being a survivor. She encourages others to get involved and help make a difference.

“Start a team! You can do a team with just a couple people,” she said.

Teams raise anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars to support the American Cancer Society.

“Everyone needs a support system to help you get through this,” she said.

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