HOW TO GO
What: American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk
When: Saturday, Oct. 11. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. The walk begins at 9 a.m.
Where: In front of the Springfield Regional Cancer Center, 148 W. North St.
More information: Contact Jesse Purcell at jesse.purcell@cancer.org or 888-227-6446. Pre-registration isn't required but can be completed at www.makingstrideswalk.org/springfield. There is no registration fee.
Thousands of dollars have been raised to help in the fight against breast cancer through Springfield’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, but the event is about more than fund-raising.
It’s about giving “more hope, more birthdays” to the women and men who get breast cancer and providing them with the right treatment that leads to a higher survival rate, said Teresa Hawke, the walk’s co-chair.
The American Cancer Society's non-competitive 5K walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday in front of the Springfield Regional Cancer Center, 148 W. North St. Registration and check-in start at 8 a.m. Pre-registration isn't required but can be completed at www.makingstrideswalk.org/springfield. There is no registration fee.
Survivors and their family, friends, physicians, nurses and more turn out for the walk, Hawke said. Some walk in honor of their mothers, grandmothers or others who have been touched by the disease.
“It’s everyone coming together to show full support,” said Hawke, who is also the business office supervisor at the Springfield Regional Cancer Center.
Although this is the fourth annual walk in Springfield, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events across the country have attracted 10 million walkers and raised more than $594 million since 1993.
The walk also spreads the knowledge that the earlier that breast cancer is detected, the better the odds of surviving it, Hawke said.
Beth Robey, a co-chair of the walk and a breast cancer survivor, called the walk a “great pink parade.”
“We want people to stay healthy, but we also want people to be vigilant, check themselves, get the mammograms, check out that lump,” said Robey, of Moorefield Twp.
Education and awareness about breast cancer has increased, including the need for self-exams and annual checkups, as well as education in schools, Hawke said.
Before the walk began in Springfield, participants would travel to Dayton, Cincinnati or Columbus for the event, Hawke said. The Springfield walk has increased in popularity as more and more walkers find it easier to take part in their own community, surrounded by their personal support group, she said.
With the 5K in Springfield, those who have been treated here can see their specialist, oncologist and other health care professionals taking part in the walk and supporting them in a way that goes beyond treatment, Hawke said.
“They’re family to us,” she said.
Hawke hopes to have up to 1,500 participants at this year’s walk. Last year, 1,100 Springfield walkers combined to raise more than $57,000, according to the American Cancer Society. Of that, the Springfield Regional Cancer Center received $14,000 to provide breast cancer patients undergoing treatment transportation to the center.
The society’s goal this year is to raise $65,000.
According to the American Cancer Society, funds are also used for cancer research, to provide access to mammograms, to help lower the risk of breast cancer or find it during its early stages and to supply services and information to breast cancer patients. In addition to transportation, this includes support programs, lodging, wigs and other services.
Making Strides also features a survivor tent, where breast cancer survivors will receive a sash and can participate in giveaways, Hawke said.
“The celebration of life: that’s key,” she said.
Springfielders can help make a difference, Hawke said. A single dollar donated may be the one that helps find the cure.
Donations for this year’s Making Strides campaign will be accepted through the end of the year, Robey said. Supporters aren’t required to physically walk in the 5K to fund raise or join one of the teams.
Robey, as a breast cancer survivor, said she wants to represent hope to those who come after her.
“You might have cancer,” she said, “but you never let cancer have you.”
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