Once again, the San Diego community is gearing up for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday.
The American Cancer Society’s three-mile, noncompetitive walk is the largest and most impactful nationwide movement against breast cancer — and continues to grow.
Although the Making Strides Walk was founded in 1984, this year marks the 28th year of the event in San Diego, with more than 15,000 participants expected.
For Megan Spangler, this will be her 19th year walking in the event.
“I have really loved the walk because it is where people can come together,” she said. “They can be there to remember people that they’ve lost. They can be there to support people who are going through treatments now. We can all be there to celebrate the fact that we’re still here.
“So it’s quite a joyful event.”
Fundraising for research
Breast cancer has been a part of Spangler’s life for nearly three decades; she, her sister and her mother are all survivors.
“My passion is really fundraising for research,” Spangler said. “I’ve been able to benefit from all the work that’s been done before me, to be able to have treatments and better treatments and additional treatments, so things that will keep cancer at bay.
“I really appreciate that for myself, for my sister, but also for our kids. We are looking at the next generation that are now getting into their 20s, and they deserve better treatments than we have or more options.”
Making Strides is a free event, relying on donations to raise $60 million annually for breast cancer research and patient support programs.
While this year’s monetary goal locally is $1 million, no price can be put on the support and resource awareness the walk brings to San Diego.
A sea of pink
“The walk is just a sea of pink,” Spangler said.
“Last year and this year, we’re at Snapdragon Stadium, and it’s such an open venue that has really easy walking paths and plenty of parking and all of this positive energy. It’s hard to explain until you come, but it’s really grown to be the best thing for coming together, supporting each other and creating that environment of positive energy around a difficult subject.”
This is the second year that Making Strides of San Diego is taking place at San Diego State University Mission Valley River Park, following a partnership with SDSU that brings breast cancer awareness to women of all ages, encouraging early, routine screening.
While breast cancer mortality has declined more than 40% in 40 years, one out of eight women will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. There are more than four million survivors in the United States, with more than 300,000 diagnoses this year.
“Due in part to the work of the American Cancer Society, 3 in 4 women are now up to date on screening, which is the greatest reason mortality has reduced,” Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society, said in a statement.
“But 1 in 4 are not up to date, and we need to close that gap. That’s why this October, we’re encouraging everyone to do more than wear pink, to go beyond ribbons and awareness, to take action. Because every action counts.”
While Making Strides supports the local community of breast cancer survivors, thrivers, caregivers and family, Spangler encourages everyone to donate, volunteer or participate in the walk.
“We welcome everyone to come down,” she said. “And I just think it’s such a great way to spend a Sunday morning, supporting people who are somewhere along the journey, or caregivers of those people, or families and friends of those people. So, I just really appreciate anyone who can come and support the event.”
The walk will begin at 9 a.m. Sunday, complete with photo-ops, free goodies, food trucks, resource booths, a Kids Zone and more.
While registration is not required, visit the Making Strides website for more information or to sign up.
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