VERO BEACH — Our dazzling island in the sun sported a human pink ribbon in the sand Tuesday evening, as breast cancer survivors and supporters of the American Cancer Society gathered at the Vero Beach Hotel & Spa to underscore the word “early” – early breast cancer detection and early registration for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which is currently planned for Saturday, Oct. 19 at Riverview Park in Sebastian.
With a lovely breeze blowing off the ocean to cool things down, the hotel’s Heaton’s Reef pool deck became a sea of pink as guests gathered for pink lemonade and hors d’oeuvres, before kicking off shoes to line up for the pink ribbon photo op.
The event also provided an opportunity to announce that Sebastian River Medical Center will once again be the Pink Premier presenting sponsor of the walk, and that its CEO, Steven Salyer, has assumed the role of event chairman. ‘He is assisted on the executive planning committee by Dr. Nancy Baker as vice chair, and Kim Ellis of Kim Ellis Agency, Inc. as operations chair.
“I support this cause because it affects me both personally and professionally,” said Dr. Baker. “The American Cancer Society is a perfect ally in the fight against all cancers, and breast cancer in particular. October sounds like it’s a far away event, but it’s important to start fundraising now. It’s a really simple process and it’s a great way to get involved.”
Ellis stressed early registration adding, “The sooner you register your teams, the more opportunity you will have to get others involved so that we can have a tremendous turnout on October 19 and raise lots of money.”
Thousands walk each year, individually and in teams, to highlight breast cancer prevention and awareness and raise funds for research and patient services.
Vero Beach Hotel staff has been especially motivated in the quest for a cure, as they rally around one of their own – hotel event planner Nikki Estes, a 28-year old Vero Beach resident, who has been battling the devastating disease since the spring of 2012.
“We had a team walk in the Margo Donadio 5K Pink 4 Life walk,” said Lorna Nickle, assistant banquet captain.
“About 50 to 75 employees got together to show support; that was really great. She cut the ribbon at the start of the race with a few others.”
“She grew up with my daughter; it hits pretty close to me,” said Theresa Woodson, ACS community representative. “This is an early engagement piece. We need to start thinking about breast cancer way before October. We’ve done a great job across the country with everyone remembering that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, but we want people to be aware of the need for early detection all the time.”
To emphasize the point, she noted that when breast cancer is detected early, the survivor rate is 98 percent. By dramatic contrast, the late detection survival rate, once the cancer has spread to lymph nodes and other organs, is 24 percent.
Many of the women who donned pink to take part in the sandy-shored ribbon have previously been involved with MSABC.
Several were members of the Friends after Diagnosis breast cancer support group founded by Lin Reading.
“It’s a good source of information,” said Susan McGarry. “People who come are in various stages. The good thing is that if people have a question, doubtless someone in the group has been there.”
The official MSABC Kickoff event will not take place until late August but Woodson said this was a good way to build the invitation list and give team leaders enough time to build registrations through their social media contacts.
“I’m hoping that we can create opportunities for dialog,” said Woodson. “We want to increase the survivor rate; just look at that huge gap between 24 and 98 percent. The key to awareness and early detection is self-testing, but are young women really doing it?”
She noted it is also important to remember it is that the disease can affect men as well.
“We talk about painting the town pink, and truly yes, it’s more prevalent in women than men, but men get breast cancer, too,” Woodson said.
To join the planning committee, call Theresa Woodson at (772) 562-2272 ext. 2403; to register for the walk, visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/indianriver.
