The word cancer can be dark and scary, but the pink-hued crowd filling the oak-shaded paths of Riverside Park last Saturday morning for the 15th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk was anything but solemn.
More than 2,500 participants – many sporting tiaras, pink tutus and feather-covered outer bras – wore various shades of pink or some other fashion related to the cause, including some men with pink Mohawks and bright feather boas as a show of support.
“It’s exciting; we had a great turnout,” said event chairman Brady Ballard. “And you can see the passion behind it by the face painting, decorations, the clothes and pink hair dye on everyone, that people have really embraced it. Hopefully it is a success, not only in the numbers of people that participated but in the dollars we raised.”
The sound system pumped up the crowd, playing songs from Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” to Aretha Franklin’s “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” as survivors laughed with supporters and fueled up on juice, coffee and pastries before hearing stories of survival by folks on the stage.
Laura McGarry, diagnosed with breast cancer in April, was one of those who spoke about her personal experience. As a research nurse for pediatric oncology and the wife of an oncologist, she has been a cancer research supporter for the last 20 years. Her treatment included a bilateral mastectomy and six rounds of chemotherapy, and she is now finishing with radiation and the drug Herceptin. Ironically McGarry had initially heard great things about Herceptin 10 years ago, and it is now being used to target her cancer.
“MSABC money goes directly to scientists for research so I have no doubt that the money raised benefitted me and many people,” said McGarry.
Jessica Lanier and some friends walked with her mom Cheryl Cooper, a breast cancer survivor, wearing outfits festooned with pink chiffon ribbons and handmade pink flowers designed by Cooper’s sister, Janet Cobb. “We are going to walk together. We raised money together and afterwards we are going to breakfast together,” said Lanier of her crew of eight.
“It’s a day to celebrate survivorship,” said Ballard. There are moments that are going to touch people, but it provides hope. This is an entire support system and an environment that promotes that.”
“There are 26 MSABC events around the state of Florida,” said Cathy Cleeland, managing director for the American Cancer Society Florida division, who drove over from Tampa to attend the event. “All of our events are important but this one is the first in this venue and it brings in people from all over the Treasure Coast.”
All of the money raised through MSABC is restricted to breast cancer research, treatment and patient care. Last year participants netted $121,000, and the goal was to raise $130,000 this year. Supporters are urging their friends to continue donating up to the Dec. 31 deadline.
“We are hoping that some point in the future, our daughters and our granddaughters will not have to come out for these kinds of rallies; that they will no longer be necessary,” said survivor Nancy Rea.
