PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Walkers turned out in downtown Providence on Sunday morning for this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, a yearly 5K that had pulled in more than $257,000 by the time it got underway.
The money goes to the American Cancer Society, and the walk is meant to back people who are being treated for breast cancer as well as those who have survived it.
The Providence walk is one stop in a national program that the cancer society calls the largest breast cancer movement in the country. Most of the walks happen in October, which is breast cancer awareness month, and a handful are held in late September. Route lengths differ by city, usually somewhere between 2.5 and 5 miles.
Funds raised through the program help pay for research along with patient services and a cancer help line that is staffed around the clock. Teams, businesses and people walking on their own all take part.
The cause touches a large share of families. According to the cancer society, about 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. More than 4 million people who have survived breast cancer are living in the United States today, and roughly 150,000 patients are living with breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
Organizers say the walks are built to bring survivors, people in treatment, caregivers and relatives together in one place. Participants can sign up to lead a team, join one already formed or walk solo, and volunteers help both in the weeks before the event and on walk day itself.
During October, community leaders in many cities also wear pink through the month to raise money and start conversations about the disease.
Donations to the Providence event can still be made through the American Cancer Society.
Filed under: Providence RI Health News