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On Saturday, October 26, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk was held at Lake Eola Park, where the community gathered to show their support for breast cancer survivors.

​The event organized by the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Association surpassed expectations by raising $150,394 in donations, more than double their initial goal of $75,000. This remarkable achievement highlights the power of community involvement in funding cancer research and providing immediate support for those diagnosed.

The walk started at 9 a.m. drawing a large crowd who demonstrated their empathy and solidarity with those affected by breast cancer. Until the event concluded at 11:00 a.m, the atmosphere was filled with positive energy, marked by chanting, dancing, and a shared sense of hope. Attendees were provided with food and beverages to keep their spirits and energy high.

​Worldwide, the month of October is considered Pink Month because it is dedicated to raise awareness and sensitization about Breast Cancer, the most common type of cancer and the leading cause of mortality in women around the world.

​According to the WHO (World Health Organization) “In 2022, 2.3 million cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in women worldwide, and 670 000 deaths were recorded due to the disease.” Moreover, they highlight that approximately half of all breast cancer cases affect women who have no specific risk factors other than sex and age.

​Despite these numbers, events like Making Strides Against Breast Cancer remind everyone that hope, awareness, and community support are essential elements in the fight against breast cancer.

Pedro Irizarry, a volunteer and worker for the association, emphasized the significance of these events, “I’ve been working with the Breast Cancer Association for the past 13 years, and once you start raising funds, you start learning how close to the community we are all affected and touched by these situations.”

He added that the donations collected go directly into research and immediate support.

“It all goes into the research for the Cancer Research Association, which obviously goes out to help people that have been diagnosed. They get immediate attention. The moment somebody’s diagnosed, the next day, somebody’s knocking at their door to be there with them. The services provided during this journey are huge.”

​Participants were easily identified by their pink clothing, the international color symbolizing breast cancer awareness, prevention, and care. Among them was Ana Rivera, who shared her heartfelt reason for attending. Rivera said, “My mom was a cancer survivor for 15 years, and every year we walked with her. Now she’s in heaven, but we still walk in her honor.”

The event brought together survivors, families, and supporters from all walks of life. Yadira Badillo, a three-time cancer survivor, shared her story of resilience.

“I survived from cancer, three times, and I’m coming again, so God gave me one more opportunity to walk. And I walk to help the people that lose their battles.”

Her message to others facing similar challenges was powerful: “Never lose the faith. Faith is the most important. And I know it’s not easy. I passed for that.”

​For many, the walk was both a celebration and a moment of reflection. Xantha Real, who participated in support of her daughter’s co-worker currently undergoing treatment, expressed mixed emotions. Real explained, “It’s a good event. It’s happy, but on the other side, it’s a little bit sad because you see all the people who are going through treatment, all the people who have passed. But it’s nice to get together though.”
She added a message for the thrivers, “keep up your strength and your treatments and don’t give up. With all the research being done, someday they’ll find a cure or a help or a deterrent.”

The event also saw the participation of individuals like Andrés Barreno, who attended with his family and walked in honor of his aunt, “My aunt actually had cancer on three different occasions, so just doing it for her.” His words of encouragement to those fighting breast cancer agreed with the message from other participants “Faith and hope.”

​As Marisol Ferrey, volunteer of the event, highlighted raising awareness is crucial, “It is important because we all have a mother, we all have a sister, someone who is suffering from this. Sometimes it’s ourselves who get scared when they tell you, ‘Oh, look, you have to get a biopsy.’” She pointed out the importance of understanding the full scope of early detection, “It is important to raise awareness because sometimes there is a lot of ignorance, and it’s not only with a mammogram that you know, right? Now, they do the mammogram, and you have to get a biopsy,” she said.

​The event director, Daisy Nonsant, embodies the resilience that defines the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer community. Pedro Irizarry shared Daisy’s inspiring story, “She is the director of this particular event. And she herself, last year, was diagnosed with a lump, right, two weeks after the last walk. And then this year, she’s a survivor. Isn’t that amazing?” This story highlights that the event is not just a collective effort but is also led by individuals who have faced the challenge of cancer personally and have emerged stronger.

​Participants wearing pink and sharing heartfelt stories at Lake Eola Park on that Saturday morning embodied the spirit of the event: unity, strength, and hope. The walk was not just about raising funds, but also about standing together, sharing stories, and inspiring action that could one day lead to a world without breast cancer.