Westchester, home to one of the ‘Top 10’ Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events in the U.S., will be reimagined in new ways and with creative responses
due to the pandemic including survivor celebrations, entertainment and opportunities for companies and family teams to come together while apart to fight
breast cancer.
In lieu of gathering by the thousands at Manhattanville College, the American Cancer Society invites people to participate in the Making Strides movement in
other ways during the month of October:
Oct. 18:
Drive Through Pink Experience – Manhattanville College, 2900 Purchase St., Purchase, NY
Scheduled shifts for rolling drive through beginning at 9 a.m. Free, open to the public, with donations gratefully appreciated. Participants must remain in
their cars for the entire duration of the event. Sign up for a time slot at www.makingstrideswalk.org/westchester . Email WestchesterNYStrides@cancer.org or call 845-594-3071
Oct. 1 through Oct. 31:
Pink Your Own way
Pink Your Own Way and walk wherever you choose in support of breast cancer patients in treatment, breast cancer survivors or in honor of someone lost to
the disease. Sign up with a team name to make your steps known, submit donations and secure volunteer hours for your breast cancer awareness and fundraising efforts at www.makingstrideswalk.org/Westchester
Oct. 1-18:
Dedicate a Personalized Tribute
Imagine a sea of pink pinwheels spinning along the majestic Manhattanville College campus at the first ever “Tribute Garden” at Manhattanville College
on Sunday, Oct. 18. Each tribute can be personalized with a message of dedication and honor. Donations of $10 or more will provide residents an opportunity to make a dedication to a loved one lost, someone currently battling breast cancer or to someone who has overcome their cancer. Make your tribute today and together, we can watch our hope grow for a breast cancer-free tomorrow. To donate a tribute pinwheel visit https://tinyurl.com/Westchester-TributeGarden
Oct. 1-3:
cityHUNT Scavenger Hunt
Pink and Go Seek is a fun way for small groups to gather while supporting the cause. Using the cityHUNT digital app, teams receive clues created exclusively
for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer supporters. Unlike traditional scavenger hunts, teams will “hunt” for a list of objects, follow clues to solve problems,
take pictures, make videos and celebrate breast cancer survivors. We encourage social distancing and wearing masks while you play. Learn more about the city-
HUNT team event at www.makingstrideswalk.org/Westchester. Email WestchesterNYStrides@cancer.org or call 845.594.3071.
Breast Cancer Research At Risk
COVID-19 has put the Society’s mission to fight cancer at risk for the first time in the history of the American Cancer Society, impacting the organization’s
ability to fundraise and to support groundbreaking research. As the largest non-governmental funder of cancer research in the U.S., the American Cancer Society is determined to unite the community and continue leading the fight. “While the pandemic has changed our event plans for this year, we are still fighting back boldly and relentlessly against breast cancer,” said Anna Trocino, senior manager, American Cancer Society.
The annual walk in Westchester is one of the area’s most attended events with more than 22,000 volunteer participants, helping to raise $1 million in
2019. Dollars raised help the American Cancer Society fund innovative breast cancer research, including $69 million currently invested in 168 breast cancer research grants. According to Trocino, cancer research is at risk as the impact of COVID-19 will reduce the Society’s ability to fund cancer research by 50% in 2020. “With so much at stake this year, it is integral to unite, fund the future of breast cancer research and support efforts across Westchester
County this October.”
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the U.S. In New York, 17,540 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and
2,430 will succumb to the disease.
(Submitted)
