Some members of the York College team in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer awareness walk. PHOTO CREDIT: Takia Greene
By Takia Greene
The York College Women’s Center participated in the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer awareness walk organized by the American Cancer Society in Central Park on Oct. 15.
The society’s walks raises awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer. Each event is a noncompetitive three to five mile walk that brings people together to make a difference for everyone who has been touched by breast cancer. The events raise money to fund innovative research, provide free information and support, and help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable.
The York College team met up at Central Park in drizzling weather waiting for the walk to start at 9 a.m. The team gathered wearing pink shirts like thousands of others who walked side by side completing the four miles. At the end of the walk, people gathered together with their teams to take pictures and celebrate the moment of fighting and not giving up.
The Women’s Center wasn’t the only department that showed support in the walk. The National Society of Leadership took part in the breast cancer walk representing Queens.
“One year ago my aunt passed away from cancer. It was a big, unexpected shock to my family,” said Folashade Olatunde, a York college student. “Every year, my mom and I participate in the breast cancer walk.”
“As a survivor, eight years cancer free, I share my awareness by raising money and getting mammogram check ups frequently because cancer, it’s no joke,” said Mondell Sealy, a member from the Institutional Advancement Department. “It’s a serious situation which I hope one day they find a cure for.”
The York college team is one out of 1,615 teams that came together from different colleges and communities to raise awareness for people who have breast cancer. According to the Making Strides of Central Park, approximately 15 people from York college attended the walk.
The Women’s center raised $320. Their goal is to one day reach $2,500.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has raised $1,333,488 counting York college’s donations and others who also donated to the organization. The organization’s goal is to reach $3,000,000.
“The breast cancer walk helps me as a person to not give up,” said Olatunde. “This walk will help me to believe in myself more and to know I can get through my struggles.”
“Ten years ago, the doctors found a tumor in my breast,” said Cassita Charles, a college assistant at the Women’s Center. “Every year I make sure to be a part of the walk because it is a serious cause and people should be aware of this disease.”
For more information on how you can be a part of the York College team or donate funds for the breast cancer research, visit the Women’s Center at York College in room 3C01 or donate online at www.main.acsevents.org
