VERO BEACH — Breast cancer survivors and supporters will join together to form a human ribbon in the sand at Vero Beach Hotel and Spa on June 25.
The ‘Ribbon in the Sand’ gathering, to be held at Heaton’s Reef Patio at 5:30 p.m., will be the preview event of the American Cancer Society 2013 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Indian River.
Survivors and supporters who wish to attend are asked to please wear a pink shirt.
An RSVP to the American Cancer Society at (772) 562-2272 is requested.
Vero Beach Hotel and Spa/Heaton’s Reef Patio is located at 3500 Ocean Dr. in Vero Beach.
The poolside event will include the announcement of Sebastian River Medical Center as the Pink Premier presenting sponsor of the walk, which will be held in October.
This year, the presenting sponsorship is backed by Steven Salyer, Sebastian River Medical Center CEO, serving as Event Chair. Salyer is joined on the executive planning committee by Dr. Nancy Baker as Income-Vice Chair, and Kim Ellis of Kim Ellis Agency, Inc. as Operations Chair.
The event this year will bring at least 90 teams together to fundraise for breast cancer research and patient services. The walk, planned for Riverview Park in Sebastian on Oct. 19, expects to draw at least 3,000 residents in a celebration of breast cancer survivors and heightened awareness of breast cancer prevention and education.
Salyer hopes to “blow the top off the American Cancer Society goal of $125,000.” His greater hope is to see his wife and three young girls live in a world that never includes the words, “you have breast cancer.”
Currently, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. One out of every two women fighting breast cancer will reach out to the American Cancer Society for help.
The American Cancer Society has played a role in nearly every major breast cancer breakthrough in recent history. This includes major advances in mammography as an effective screening test for breast cancer; development of Tamoxifen and Herceptin to treat breast cancer; and, the knowledge that genetics, lack of exercise, obesity, and overconsumption of alcohol increase a person’s breast cancer risk.
With early detection and treatment, the survival rate of breast cancer patients is 98%. When breast cancer advances before detection or treatment, the survival rate drops to 26%.
Salyer, Baker, and Ellis have been assembling a team of planning committee volunteers. Anyone interested in joining the planning committee is encouraged to contact Theresa Woodson at Theresa.Woodson@Cancer.org.
Those interested in participating in the event as a survivor or supporter can register on line at www.MakingStridesWalk.org/IndianRiver.
There is no registration fee.