Every step carried a reason at Jones Beach on Oct. 18 — a loved one remembered, a diagnosis confronted or the hope that another family might someday be spared the words “you have cancer.”
Survivors, people living with breast cancer, caregivers and supporters came together for Making Strides of Long Island, an American Cancer Society fundraiser presented by Teachers Federal Credit Union. The walk brought a shared purpose to the boardwalk: honoring those affected by breast cancer and supporting the effort to end the disease.
With its main festival area at Field 5, the event combined opportunities for remembrance with celebrations of resilience. Participants could follow an approximately five-mile route, taking breaks or turning around whenever they needed. The emphasis was on participating at their own pace and finding connection along the way.
That personal connection was reflected in the “I Walk For” signing wall, where participants could write the names of loved ones or the reasons behind their steps. A Tribute Garden offered space to reflect, remember and celebrate.
At Field 1, the Fence of Hope marked a turnaround point and a place to honor those touched by breast cancer. Photos, notes and small mementos could be left in tribute to loved ones, giving walkers an opportunity to pause before continuing along the boardwalk.
Support for people at different stages of their cancer experience was central to the event. A pink survivor and thriver tent offered American Cancer Society resources, commemorative shirts and medals, and opportunities to connect with others.
The society defines a survivor as anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis, including those newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment or in remission. Making Strides uses the term “thriver” for people living with metastatic breast cancer.
Caregivers were also welcomed into the space, recognizing the family members and friends who accompany loved ones through appointments, treatment and the uncertainty that can follow a diagnosis. Nearby, a Bell of Hope offered another way to mark the experience.
A new tent focused on “previvors” — people who have not been diagnosed with cancer but have an increased risk because of an inherited genetic mutation, family history or other known risk factors.
Beyond the tributes, the festival area offered ways to learn about support services and become involved. A Community Village connected participants with Long Island nonprofit organizations, while an exhibit highlighting the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge program drew attention to free lodging available to people traveling for cancer treatment.
Other activities emphasized breast cancer screening, advocacy and the experiences of Black women. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network provided information about advocating for research funding and access to care.
Team photo stations and walls for messages of encouragement added opportunities to celebrate friendships and support networks. Together with the spaces for remembrance, they reflected the walk’s overlapping emotions: grief for those lost, gratitude for those alongside them and hope for those still facing treatment.
