Five Towns College walks and raises money for breast cancer

By Christopher Eliopoulos

On Sunday, October 19th, the American Cancer Society held its 32nd annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event had a record-breaking turnout of over 81,000 people and is projected to raise $ 2.45 million. Five Towns College once again participated in the walk, raising $2,504.79 for the cause.

“The college encourages students to engage in community service, and this is just one way students can contribute. This opportunity in particular is both accessible and fun. I believe it demonstrates to students how easy it is to get involved with something that can have such a positive impact on the community around them,” said FTC’s Director of Residence Life Anthony Huttie.

The walk began at 7:30 AM, spanned approximately five miles along the boardwalk, and concluded at 10:30 AM. At the halfway point, there were photo opportunities, including the “Be Strong” and pink ribbon sculptures. Near the sculptures was the Fence of Hope, where people could attach names and photos of loved ones who are battling breast cancer or who have passed away from breast cancer. The route then looped around towards the starting point, where cheerleaders encouraged the walkers.

“Participating in the Breast Cancer Walk is important to me because whenever I do the walk, I do it to support a few of my mom’s friends,” said FTC Mass Comm major Andrew Gluck.

This event brings people from all over Long Island together. Participant, Raphaela, attended the walk for her second year and explained why she came back, “Our friends, you know? We’ve started this group. We’re very excited to support. We were really motivated by one of our friends who went through it, and she’s a survivor, which is amazing. So, I think we’re going to come every year to support her and others that we know.”

At the walk’s entrance, visitors were greeted by tents offering information, refreshments, and ways to celebrate survivors. The Stride Store sold breast cancer awareness merchandise, and all of their proceeds will go directly to the American Cancer Society.

One of those tents was for Primary Partner Care, where attendees could learn about breast cancer and other forms of cancer from experts such as Internal Medicine Physician Richard Mermelstein, who said, “Breast cancer is extremely important. Almost every family is impacted in some way. From diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, prevention, all play a crucial part in the way healthcare is delivered for one of the most common cancers in America. As far as genetic testing goes, it is crucial. Fortunately, modern healthcare has innovative ways to actually find out the risk that a person has to actually potentially have breast cancer.”

Survivor Angela offered advice to people who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer, saying, “Write everything down. Maybe bring someone when you go to appointments because you’re not going to remember. It’s a devastating , unfortunate diagnosis, and it’s very emotional. And, as you’re going through the process, if you have to go through chemo, radiation, surgery, that you find something that is going to be important to you, that makes you happy. It is very important to have a nice support chain because you can’t do it alone. You always need someone to talk to, you always need someone.”

Another survivor, Sandra, summed up her journey and what this event means to her: “I got to see my daughter grow up because I lost my mom when I was fifteen. So, history, I didn’t want it to repeat itself. So, I was able to go through everything I went through so I could survive for her. It [the walk] remembers my mother, it remembers my aunt who also passed away from breast cancer, and it reminds me of everybody here that went through the same journey I went through.”

For more information:

https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/making-strides-against-breast-cancer.html

https://www.cancer.org/