They’re making strides towards a world without breast cancer.
Participants in the American Cancer Society’s annual breast-cancer walk will take Coney Island on Oct. 15, continuing the 15-year tradition of uniting survivors and supporters.
The inauguration of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer charity event at the Coney Island Boardwalk is a testament to the community’s care for the cause, according to a spokeswoman.
“Brooklyn comes out in full force for the fight to end breast cancer,” said Ashley Engelman, director of communications for the American Cancer Society. “The switch to Coney Island was due to the best problem possible: We outgrew the old location.”
The non-competitive event aims to raise awareness as well as funds for breast-cancer prevention, cancer research, and patient services. Fifty-thousand Brooklyn walkers raised nearly $800,000 at last year’s event, all of which went towards putting services in place for breast-cancer patients.
The funds also allowed American Cancer Society honchos to open a new location on Fifth Avenue in Prospect Heights, where anyone affected by cancer can find free information, support, wigs, and more. But the walk is more than just a fund-raiser, Engelman said.
“It’s a celebratory, family-friendly event, where tens of thousands of people from all over Brooklyn are able to unite to celebrate breast cancer survivors and learn about the support that’s available in our own backyard,” she said. “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll make friends, find support, hug, dance, and, of course, walk!”
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is open to anyone and everyone, and registration is online at Makin
Making Strides Brooklyn, Sunday, Oct. 15 at MCU Park (1904 Surf Avenue between W. 17th and W. 19th streets). Registration from 8:30 am; walk starts at 10 am.
