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How your strides can save lives

Walkers nationwide are joining forces in an effort to save the lives of cancer victims. Find out how just a few of your steps can help make huge strides toward making a difference.

Woman at breast cancer walk

What it is

The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is a nationwide walking event that unites and connects communities on a variety of levels to raise money to help end the fight for breast cancer. More than 270 walks are held nationwide each year to raise money for cancer research, increase awareness for individuals, inspire communities to get involved, and most importantly, support past and present victims. Each walk ranges from 3 to 5 miles, allowing any and all to participate whether it be through donations of steps or dollars. A Making Strides event provides passion, power and purpose. Passion is used as the drive to get us walking — for those who we have never met, those who we can’t get back, and those who we wish will never experience the same pain. Power is what we all have inside of us to fight for those who need us, and for those who will need us; and purpose is the one thing we have in common, with more than one million supporters across the country, all fighting for the same thing: beating the disease.

Why it was founded/how it got started

In 1984, cancer survivor Margery Gould Rath spoke up about being the change she wished to see in the world. With the goal in mind of bringing together cancer survivors while raising money for the American Cancer Society, a “move-a-long-a-thon” was created and given the name Making Strides. The event began small, with 200 participants in the city of Boston, but by 1993 the small event grew to 4,000 participants and evolved into cities throughout New England. Since becoming known as the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Margery’s vision has developed into a nationally known and supported charity and event, supporting survivors, victims and the victim’s families. The progress this charity has made is nothing short of remarkable thanks to the efforts and dreams of Margery and her supporters. But the success of the event and research funding lies in your hands. Each stride made is another dollar in the hands of the American Cancer Society, used for the next breakthrough for breast cancer.

How it is making a difference

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer began 20 years ago, and through their endeavors and efforts of charity and education, they can be proud of being a part of a 32 percent decline in deaths caused by breast cancer. Since 1993 an astounding $460 million was raised for the fight for breast cancer, and in 2011 alone more than 1 million walkers raised $60 million. Each walk and event that is put on not only raises money for cancer research, but teaches communities and makes individuals more aware of what we can do to reduce our risks of falling victim to the vicious disease. Donations make a difference. Everything and anything helps, from endless research to assisting people to get well and stay well. The American Cancer Society has created programs, guidelines and even newsletters we can subscribe to, all in hopes of educating communities of the responsibilities we must commit to for our well being. One article, one interaction or one lump can change the rest of our lives.

Upcoming 2012 walks

Alabama

  • Tuscaloosa, October 6
  • Montgomery, October 13
  • South Alabama, Mobile Civic Center, October 27

Alaska

  • Anchorage, October 6

Arizona

  • Phoenix, October 27
  • Tucson, October 28

Arkansas

  • Northwest Arkansas Mall, October 20

California

  • Thousand Oaks, July 28
  • Whittier, August 4
  • Studio City, August 5
  • Walnut, August 5
  • Sonoma, August 11
  • Long Beach, August 12
  • Torrance, August 12
  • Redding, August 18
  • Ventura, August 18
  • Marysville, August 19
  • Santa Monica, August 19
  • Almanor, August 25
  • West Hollywood, August 25
  • Santa Ynez, October 6
  • Stockton, October 6
  • Orange County, October 7
  • Central Valley, October 7
  • Los Angeles, October 10
  • Modesto, October 14
  • South Los Angeles, October 20
  • Chico, October 20
  • San Francisco, October 20
  • San Diego, October 21
  • Greater Sacramento Area, October 21
  • San Luis Obispo, October 27
  • Bakersfield, October 27
  • Silicon Valley, October 27

Colorado

  • Fort Collins, October 6
  • Mesa County, October 13
  • Pueblo, October 13

Connecticut

  • Litchfield County, October 14
  • New Haven, October 14
  • Hartford, October 21
  • Westport, October 21
  • New London County, October 28

Delaware

  • Wilmington, October 21
  • Sussex, October 21

Florida

  • Broward, October 13
  • Jacksonville, October 13
  • Florida Keys,  October 13
  • Miami-Dade, October 13
  • Orange Park, October 13
  • Gainesville, October 13
  • Palm Beach, October 13
  • Pinellas, October 20
  • Naples, October 20
  • Pasco, October 20
  • Brevard, October 20
  • Indian River County, October 20
  • Lee County, October 20
  • Orlando Metro, October 20
  • Polk County, October 20
  • Martin, October 20
  • St. Lucie, October 20
  • Sarasota, October 20
  • Hillsborough County, October 20
  • Leon, October 21
  • Emerald Coast, October 27
  • Volusia/Flagler, October 27
  • Pensacola, October 27
  • Panama City, October 27
  • Boca Raton,October 27
  • Ocala, November 3

Georgia

  • Marietta, October 27

Hawaii

  • Honolulu, October 6

Illinois

  • McHenry County (Spring), August 4
  • DeKalb, August 4
  • Balmoral Park, August 11
  • Bolingbrook, August 12
  • Kankakee County, August 18
  • Effingham, October 6
  • Rock Island, October 6
  • Joliet, October 7
  • South Suburban, October 14
  • Northwest Suburban, October 14
  • Fox Valley, October 14
  • Chicago, October 20
  • Springfield, October 20
  • Rockford, October 20
  • Southern Illinois, October 20
  • Champaign, October 20
  • Lake County, October 21
  • DuPage County, October 21
  • North Shore, October 21
  • Belleville, October 27
  • Alton, October 27

Indiana

  • Hendricks County, October 6
  • Dubois County, October
  • Valparaiso, October 7
  • Bloomington, October 13
  • Shelby County, October 13
  • Fort Wayne, October 13
  • Merrillville, October 14
  • Harrison County, October 20
  • Indianapolis, October 20
  • South Bend, October 27
  • Lafayette, October 27
  • Crawfordsville, October 27

Iowa

  • Iowa City, September 30
  • Okoboji, October 13
  • Mason City, October 20

Kansas

  • Topeka, October 7

Kentucky

  • Ashland, October 21
  • Owensboro, October 21
  • Lexington, October 28
  • Louisville, October 28

Louisiana

  • SWLA, October 6
  • New Orleans, October 7

Massachusetts

  • Boston, October 14
  • Berkshire County, October 14
  • Nantucket, October 14
  • Worcester, October 21
  • Cape Cod, October 21
  • Damariscotta, October 14
  • Brunswick, October 14
  • Greater Portland, October 14
  • Kittery, October 14

Maryland

  • Southern Maryland, October 7
  • Baltimore, October 14
  • Western, October 20
  • Ocean City, October 20
  • Mount Airy, October 21

Michigan

  • Traverse City, September 29
  • Holland, October 6
  • Jackson, October 6
  • Port Huron, October 13
  • Macomb, October 13
  • Oakland, October 13
  • Detroit, October 13
  • Muskegon, October 13
  • Howell, October 13
  • Kalamazoo, October 13
  • Owosso, October 20
  • Calhoun County, October 20
  • Lapeer, October 20
  • Saginaw, October 27
  • Lansing, October 27
  • Flint, October 27
  • Monroe County, October 27
  • Ann Arbor, October 27

Minnesota

  • Mankato, September 29
  • NE Minnesota/NW Wisconsin, October 6
  • Moorhead, October 6
  • Owatonna, October 6
  • Winona, October 13
  • Twin Cities, October 13
  • Rochester, October 20
  • St Cloud, October 20

Missouri

  • SWMO, October 20
  • Kansas City, October 27
  • St. Louis, October 27

Mississippi

  • Harrison-The Gulf Coast, October 20
  • Jackson, October 27

Montana

  • Valley, September 29

North Carolina

  • Raleigh, October 6
  • Wilmington, October 13
  • Charlotte, October 20
  • Asheville, October 20

Nebraska

  • MSABC FY13 National Blueprint, October 1
  • A Cure NE, October 20
  • Virtual Walk, October 27
  • Lincoln, October 28

New Hampshire

  • Peterborough, October 14
  • North Conway, October 14
  • Concord, October 14
  • Nashua, October 14
  • Dover, October 21
  • Exeter, October 21
  • Greater Lakes Region, October 21
  • Manchester, October 21

New Jersey

  • Ridgefield Park, October 21
  • Jersey City, October 21
  • Parsippany, October 21
  • Newark, October 21
  • Point Pleasant Beach, October 21
  • Edison, October 28
  • South Jersey, October 28

New Mexico

  • Santa Fe, October 6

Nevada

  • Las Vegas, October 6

New York

  • Syracuse, September 30
  • Binghamton, September 30
  • Buffalo, September 30
  • Waterloo, September 30
  • Rochester, September 30
  • Washington County, October 7
  • Albion, October 14
  • Jamestown, October 14
  • Corning, October 14
  • Dowling College, October 14
  • The North Country, October 20
  • Utica, October 21
  • Hudson Valley, October 21
  • Albany, October 21
  • 17TH Annual Tri-State Classic Race, October 21
  • Staten Island, October 21
  • Westchester, October 21
  • Brooklyn, October 21
  • Jones Beach, October 21
  • Central Park, October 21
  • Bronx, October 21
  • Queens, October 21
  • Warren County, October 28

Ohio

  • Lima, September 22
  • Akron, October 7
  • Springfield, October 13
  • Greater Cincinnati, October 14
  • Dayton, October 20
  • Mansfield, October 20
  • Canton, October 28
  • Columbus, October 28

Pennsylvania

  • Erie, October 6
  • Pittsburgh, October 6
  • Blair County, October 13
  • Wyoming Valley, October 20
  • Harrisburg, October 20
  • Lycoming County, October 20
  • Bedford, October 20
  • Philadelphia, October 20
  • Lehigh Valley, October 27
  • Greater Susquehanna Valley, October 27

Rhode Island

  • Providence, October 21

South Carolina

  • PeeDee, October 13

South Dakota

  • South Dakota, October 6

Tennessee

  • Knoxville, October 7
  • Memphis, October 13
  • Tri Cities, October 14
  • Nashville, October 20
  • Chattanooga, October 28
  • Madison-West Tennessee, November 3

Texas

  • North Texas, October 6
  • Beaumont, October 20
  • Corpus Christi, October 20
  • El Paso, October 21

Utah

  • Salt Lake City, October 13

Virginia

  • South Hampton Roads, September 29
  • Fredericksburg, October 14
  • Richmond, October 21
  • Peninsula, October 27

Vermont

  • Chittenden County, October 21
  • Rutland County, October 21

Washington

  • Bellevue, October 7
  • Downtown Tacoma, October 13
  • Yakima, October 27

Wisconsin

  • Green Bay, October 13
  • Rock County, October 13
  • Fox Valley,October 13
  • Eau Claire, October 20

West Virginia

  • North Central, October 13
  • Charleston, October 13

Wyoming

Southern Wyoming, September 30

More charity runs and walks

United Negro College Fund
Race for the Arts
The Animal Cancer Foundation

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