Undaunted by a deluge of rain, breast cancer survivors and their supporters exploded with enthusiasm during the 2022 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Indian River walk at Riverside Park, hosted by the American Cancer Society.
Adorned in everything from pink tutus to spectacularly decorated brassieres, participants raised $96,577, exceeding the goal for this year’s non-competitive walk. Event lead Vanessa Bartoszewicz encouraged participants to continue their fundraising efforts through the end of October.
Cathi and Edmund Nalzaro partnered with local radio personality Bob Soos to educate, entertain and excite the crowd as they prepared for the walk of pink.
“Thanks to our teams who come out each year taking steps in a fight for a world without breast cancer. Thank you for hosting fundraisers, asking friends and families for donations, and doing all you can to help fund the future fight against breast cancer,” said Cathi Nalzaro.
“These companies and organizations are not just walking. They are truly walking the talk and investing in the American Cancer Society’s mission to discover more ways to prevent, find, treat and survive breast cancer.”
Dr. Edward Murphy was recognized for a “decade of dedication” as a platinum-level sponsor, and Cathy Curley received the Hot Pink Award for her Flamingo Fundraiser Vero Beach, which raised more than $10,000.
“That’s enough money to provide free lodging for 154 cancer patients and their caregivers, just to give you an idea of what donations can do for breast cancer patients who travel long distances,” said Bartoszewicz.
She noted that the 18 men in this year’s Real Men Wear Pink Campaign raised a collective $28,464, adding that while only 1 percent of men are afflicted with breast cancer, they are affected through the diagnoses of their mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, nieces, employees and friends.
Among the Real Men Wear Pink participants was six-year cancer survivor Thomas Schinske, who offered kisses for donations as a way to continue his fundraising.
“Today, we also honor and remember those lost to breast cancer,” said Soos, inviting attendees to add a heart to the Forever in our Hearts display.
Having lost his mother to breast cancer, Soos said treatment in the early 1970s, when his mother was diagnosed, was nowhere near as good as today.
“This terrific group in front of me gives so much inspiration and cause for celebration,” said Soos, as survivors gathered for a group photo with Survivor chair Elizabeth April. A 25-year breast cancer survivor, she is among more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today.
Friends in Motion performed a spirited selection of dances, and the Vero Fitness team got folks ready to shred the tread on their sneakers with a high-energy warmup before the 75 teams, consisting of 378 participants, lengthened their strides to support breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers and caregivers, and the efforts of the ACS to provide patient support services and find a cure for breast cancer.
More than 290,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 – the most common cancer type for women apart from skin cancer. For more than 30 years, friends, family and businesses have teamed up nationwide to raise funds and awareness, amassing more than $71 million to be invested in breast cancer research grants. This year, the nation’s most significant breast cancer movement will occur in more than 150 communities, supported by the ACS through helplines, chat services and a mobile app.
For more information, visit cancer.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
