Alzeria Floyd, Jessica Nettles, Susan Wright, Pam McCollum and Suzanne Gallagher PHOTO BY STEPHANIE LABAFF

Tatas, bosoms and breasts were the topic of discussion at Riverside Park during the 2023 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Indian River walk at Riverside Park, hosted by the American Cancer Society. MSABC raises funds and awareness about breast cancer with proceeds going toward funding research, promoting education and providing patient support.

Survivors, family, friends and caregivers took big strides during the walk, thus far raising more than $85,000 toward this year’s $125,000 goal, with fundraising efforts to continue through Dec. 31.

Donning pink hats, tutus and tunics, and even some pink-dyed hair, 70 teams and nearly 400 individuals loudly and proudly declared their support for the American Cancer Society’s mission to end breast cancer as we know it.

Survivors happily shared their cancer-versaries as they strode around the park, calling out everything from one month to decades. Each one was worthy of celebration.

Sponsors set up stations around the park with games and food in a show of support to celebrate survivors and remember those who have succumbed to the disease. Throughout the morning, various “Mission Moments” were shared to educate further about ways people are dealing with the disease.

MSABC is held annually in October, coinciding with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As early detection is key, the ACS encourages women to have an annual mammogram at age 45. However, they should begin having them as early as 40 based on family history and genetic markers.

Efforts such as the non-competitive walk are helping to fund research toward the eradication of breast cancer and to help support the more than 297,000 women, and some 2,800 men, who the ACS estimates will be diagnosed this year with invasive breast cancer. It is the most commonly occurring cancer for women in the U.S., accounting for some 30 percent of new female cancers annually. And another 55,720 new cases of in-situ breast cancer (there are some 15 forms) will also be diagnosed this year.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the good news is that there are currently 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, but an estimated 43,700 women will die from the disease in 2023.

Originally named the American Cancer Society for the Control of Cancer, the nonprofit was founded 110 years ago, at a time when a cancer diagnosis of any sort typically resulted in death. While great strides have been made through ACS research over the past century, there is still a good deal more to be done.

One little-known fact shared during the walk was the 2001 formation of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, which people can join in an effort to help pass legislation, advocate for funding and advance policy. Attendees were encouraged to visit fightcancer.org to learn more.

Photos by Stephanie LaBaff