VALPARAISO -- The first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Valparaiso in several years, held Sunday at Old Fairgrounds Park, drew more people -- and money -- than organizers expected.
Even before the final tally of walkers was in, Sue Tracy, director of the regional office of the American Cancer Society in Merrillville, said she was excited by the number of people there.
"I think it's a great turnout," she said before the final numbers for the event came in, at 1,700 walkers raising $59,000 for breast cancer awareness and research. "I think this is just the beginning. It's going to grow because the support is here, and the need."
Breast cancer survivors clad in pink T-shirts led a lap around the park before walkers headed out for a walk of more than three miles through area neighborhoods.
They cheered and hugged as they took off, with "Flying High Now," the theme from the movie "Rockie," blaring over the speakers.
Marilyn King, a breast cancer survivor for seven years, came to the walk with her family from Plymouth.
Her cancer was detected by a mammogram, and she participates in Making Strides walks to raise money for and awareness about the screening, "to help everyone else help get detected."
In a proclamation in honor of the event, Mayor Jon Costas noted that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, after skin cancer, with 1 in 8 women being diagnosed with the disease, and 1 in 35 dying from it.
Because so many of her family members are or have been affected by breast cancer, Rachael McKay put together a team of more than 70 people, including friends, family and co-workers.
The group wore black T-shirts printed with "Breast Friends" on the back.
McKay said her mother has breast cancer, one aunt is in remission and another aunt died three years ago.
The Hebron resident and Valparaiso University student said the funds raised by the walk is "a great thing, especially for people who can't afford" a mammogram.
(source:post-trib.com)
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