Walk to end breast cancer at Jones Beach

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The American Cancer Society is slated to hold its 25th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh on Oct. 21.

The walk will start around 7:30 a.m. This in conjunction with the walk at Suffolk County Community College on Oct. 28, is intended to join communities together, to “honor those touched by the disease and raise awareness and funds for a world without breast cancer,” according to an ACS press release.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is “the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation,” according to the release, and the Jones Beach walk is the “most attended event [of its kind] in the United States.”

Last year, more than 65,000 volunteers participated and helped raise around $3 million. The event is noncompetitive and inspirational, according to ACS. It raises funds, as well as awareness, “to end breast cancer and provide hope to ensure no one faces breast cancer alone.”

The money raised goes towards ACS as the organization helps “fund innovative breast cancer research; provide education and guidance to help people reduce their risk; and offer comprehensive patient support to those who need it most.” More than 40,000 cancer patients were guided through the health care system by ACS staff in 2017.

“Because of the determination of Making Strides supporters, the American Cancer Society is there for people in every community affected by breast cancer, whether they’re currently dealing with a diagnosis, may face one in the future, or will avoid it altogether because of education and risk reduction,” said Communications Director for the American Cancer Society Patti Lestrange Mack in the release.  “At the event, communities embrace a bittersweet mix of purpose — celebrating survivorship and paying meaningful tributes to loved ones lost. From research to education, prevention to diagnosis and treatment to recovery, we provide support to everyone impacted by breast cancer.”

For more information on the upcoming Jones Beach walk, visit http://www.makingstrideswalk.org/longisland.