Every 12 minutes a woman in America dies of breast cancer. Breast cancer foundations across the globe have worked rigorously in the past few years to earn money for research and educate women about the disease. They found that outside help was essential, that community involvement for the cause was crucial in raising dollars and awareness, and so began the rise of charity walks.
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Charity walks allow people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and show support for the breast cancer struggle. Breast cancer affects so many people’s lives because at the rate that the disease is discovered in women, it is likely that nearly every person in the country will know someone affected by breast cancer. Over the years, many walks have been organized and created throughout the world, but three large foundations that have touched down in San Diego recently are the American Cancer Society, the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Avon Foundation.
October marked the 19th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but charity and fundraising continues throughout the year. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation began its patient advocacy, breast cancer research and communication outreach programs 20 years ago.
It was founded on a promise made between two sisters, one of which, Susan G. Komen, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1978, when little was known about the disease. Her sister, Nancy G. Brinker, promised her she would do everything possible to bring an end to breast cancer, and in 1982 she founded this breast cancer organization. Since, $450 million has been collected and put toward defeating the disease.
The Avon Foundation with its Avon Breast Cancer Crusade has generated over $250 million in total funds over the last 10 years. This foundation has a special interest in reaching medically underserved women, including low-income, elderly and minority women, and women without adequate health insurance.
“”It is really great that these organizations are raising money and creating help in the fight against breast cancer, since breast cancer is something that affects everybody’s lives either directly or indirectly,”” John Muir College sophomore Lindsay Young said.
Throughout October and November, these foundations visited San Diego. The Komen Breast Cancer Foundation hosted the Breast Cancer 3Day, a 60-mile, three-day walk, which they believe, combined with the money from the San Francisco and Los Angeles charity walks, could raise more than $30 million in just the first three weeks of November.
Among these charity walks, UCSD students showed support for the breast cancer cause by participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk organized through the American Cancer Society.
UCSD’s Greek community participated in this noncompetitive 4.5-mile walk by collecting pledges and walking. Each participating sorority and fraternity set a fundraising and recruitment goal, which they well surpassed. The American Cancer Society Web site ranks UCSD’s Greek community as the top collegiate group for fundraising and participation.
The American Cancer Society’s goal for the San Diego walk was to reach half-a-million dollars and to have 10,000 walkers. At the event, 12,000 walkers showed their support and more than $430,000 was collected.
“”More important than the money is the number of people you get out there,”” said Pi Kappa Alpha’s director of community service Anton Dindio about the Greek community’s participation. “”It does a lot for the school. It shows that we want to help and support the community.””
Dindio and Kappa Kappa Gamma’s director of community service Kristen Jackson organized and promoted the all-Greek philanthropy, finding donations and participants for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
“”I feel it’s a wonderful cause,”” Jackson said. “”The thing about breast cancer is that it can or will affect you or someone you know. It affects so many lives. It’s amazing how many people can be touched through this philanthropy.””
The statistics are that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. In just one year, the disease will afflict 200,000 women and take more than 40,000 lives. The money collected from the charity walks bring breast cancer foundations, including the American Cancer Society, one step closer to more effective prevention, detection and treatment of the disease.
Kappa Kappa Gamma President Mara Lee organized UCSD’s role in the Making Strides event through the American Cancer Society, getting information to Greek directors of community service and working with them to promote participation on campus.
“”It has been a positive experience for me to be able to motivate people and work with people in raising awareness,”” Lee said. “”It is motivating to see how many people actually come together and show support.””
Walking in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk was a rewarding experience according to participants.
“”Being hung over and waking up at 6:30 a.m., I was not looking forward to the event, but once I got there, I realized that I was making a difference and it was all worth it,”” Revelle College sophomore and Sigma Nu member Vern Bajaj said.
UCSD walkers joined the San Diego community at the event, which led to great satisfaction among the participants.
“”It was great seeing San Diego respond to Breast Cancer Awareness and the support that the city was able to give. I was excited to partake in the Breast Cancer Awareness. Supporting it is essential,”” said Blane Kidane, a Kappa Kappa Gamma member.
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk was a great success for the UCSD and San Diego community as a whole. The money and awareness that UCSD helped raise are sure to touch many lives, but the need for support does not stop there. This is just one of the many charity walks that continue to take place in hopes of participation from new supporters.
