SEBASTIAN — Victoria’s Secret – eat your heart out. The fashion forward walkers who turned out for the 2011 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) walk would have made a colorful addition to any Paris runway.
Chaired once again by Annie Grace Foster, the non-competitive nature of the three-mile walk, staged from the Sebastian River Medical Center parking lot Saturday morning, drew participants of all ages and sexes together for a common goal – to put an end to the words, “you have breast cancer.”
Estimated by police to be close to 1,600 walkers, this year’s “Put on your Pink Bra” theme drew a particularly show-stopping group. Boa draped or beaded most decorously wore their creations on the outside, with a few having actually imprinted bra designs onto team shirts.
During a brief ceremony, Annie Grace Foster said about the Pink Bra challenge, “The pink bra has been a lot of fun. But it’s also an important icon. It shows just how personal the fight against breast cancer is.”
She went on to speak of the urgency to combat the disease, noting that Florida ranks second in the nation in breast cancer deaths and fourth in incidence.
“By taking part in this event, you are not only raising awareness and vital funding to make more progress, you are literally saving more lives,” added Foster.
A long stream of pink ribboned and brassiere bedazzled walkers then took off under a billowy pink and white balloon arch, to remember those lost, celebrate survivors, and demonstrate their resolve to make breast cancer a thing of the past.
Contributions continue to accrue, but, at the start of the walk, the top fundraising teams included Love Letters, We Care to Wear Pink, The Moorings Life Savers, Seaside Striders and GKate. Individual “Pacesetters” who each raised more than $1,500 were Marilyn Kolar, Pam Doughey, Nancy Whittall, Leah Muller, Lillie Holt, Susie Stern and Mary Ellen Cowhey.
Millions of walkers nationwide participate annually in MSABC, the only American Cancer Society event where monies collected are dedicated to a specific initiative. Funds raised are specifically dedicated to help fight breast cancer through research, prevention, early detection, and support programs for patients and their families.
