By: Abigail Twiford, Follow South Jersey Intern
PENNSAUKEN, N.J. – Cooper River Park hosted American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk of the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey area on October 20.
The event aimed to fundraise for breast cancer research, as well as providing a sense of community to those who are currently battling or in remission with cancer, as well as their families, friends, caregivers and those who have lost a loved one to the disease.
Natalie Rubino is one of the organizers of the Making Strides event.
“There’s a lot of planning involved,” Rubino said. “I mean, we do this year round, so just a lot of details to figure out, a lot of moving parts, a lot of logistics. And tons of help from volunteers and other community members, and community partners are amazing sponsors. So it takes a village, but we do the best we can, and hopefully all the survivors and caregivers and community members have a great time.”
Before the walk was set to begin, an event off the main walkway and surrounded by the Jack Curtis Stadium’s track, was set up to welcome visitors and continue to raise money for breast cancer research from those in attendance and any passersby.
Kris Brown was in attendance. She lost her husband to Covid in 2020 and was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after. She is currently undergoing treatment.
“It’s been a struggle,” Brown said. “I had the surgery removed, and went through the chemo, radiation, and now I’m two more years to go with bone infusions and the chemo pill that you take for five years. So I got two more years to go and still fighting and gonna beat it.”
Brown has been going to the Making Strides event for the last four years to be with the community through her treatment.
“This is awesome. I’ve come for the last four years, and it’s always been phenomenal. Tons of people come here, and it’s very supportive. It’s just a good experience on a Sunday morning,” said Brown
Those walking were instructed to register at the designated tent and go to the information tent if they needed help locating their team, if they had one. A stage was also set up for announcements of when the walk would begin.
Clad in every shade of pink, people from around the area walked around the event. A few in attendance opted for bright pink inflatable unicorn or axolotl costumes. Some even brought their dogs along, who were also often wearing pink garments of their own.
Lisa Eckel was a South Jersey resident in attendance at the event, there in memory of a loved one.
“It’s the most amazing thing anyone can do every year, and it’s inspirational. I walk for a close friend of mine who passed away from breast cancer a few years ago, and I haven’t missed it since,” said Eckel.
Several area healthcare providers and businesses were set up with tables and tents around the track, including Fox Chase Cancer Center, Walmart and the event’s flagship sponsors Live! Casino and Hotel of Philadelphia and South Jersey Radiology.
Refreshments were provided in the form of water bottles and packaged snack bags. Dunkin’ and Gotta Lotta Gelata were also present in tents and trucks for attendees, with Dunkin’ also offering free beverage samples on trays.
A large pink and white inflatable arch was set up over the start of the track, next to a bright pink noodle person. A large blow-up chair was also set up for participants to sit on with friends and family for photos.
Just before the walk was set to begin, the planned speakers took to the stage. TaRanda Thomas, a reporter with 6 ABC was the first to take the stage.
“Like many of you, I have a story that is impacted by breast cancer with loved ones, friends, family,” Thomas told the audience. “I saw a friend here today who was a survivor. I’ve had friends who lost their battle with cancer, as well as relatives… I’m so grateful for this invitation, and I’m really happy to be here today.”
She was followed up by her co-presenter Ilia Garcia, an anchor with Univision 65. She opened by speaking Spanish to those in the audience who were speakers themselves, before switching back to English to remind all of the guests that the walk was set to begin with a lap for survivors and thrivers at 9:45 a.m.
For the American Cancer Society, survivors are defined as anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, even if they are now in remission, while thrivers are those who use the diagnosis for personal growth and a focus on quality of life. Making Strides defines thrivers as anyone who has been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
After this reminder, and a few words from South Jersey Radiology speaker Rick Grodin and Live! Casino sponsor Jake Joyce, the event’s survivor speaker Racquel Williams took to the stage.
Williams is the community impact reporter for KYW News Radio. She was originally diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago in 2018 after many reminders to get her yearly mammogram from her best friend, before finding an unfamiliar lump.
“From that day on, I never looked at breast cancer the same way, because it is home now. It’s no longer other people I’m supporting, it’s me that needs the support. It’s home now, because I have two daughters that now must know that they have to start screening early because of the hereditary factors involved. It is my problem for life,” said Williams.
From there she went into more detail the diagnosis and treatment process she underwent, originally beginning with just a lumpectomy, then after realizing in her last check up appointment that the cancer was not gone, turning into a mastectomy and chemotherapy.
When Williams was finished with her personal story, the first lap of the walk, specifically set up for survivors and thrivers, began.
People made their way through the inflatable arch at the start of the track as Pennsauken cheer team lined each side and waved their pom poms and cheered for the walkers.
In total, this year’s walk saw 14,000 walkers and the organization has raised over $400,000 of its $480,000 goal so far. The event’s fundraising page will remain live until the last day of the calendar year.
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