Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Survivor Lisa Hardwick gathered in front of the Discovery World Museum along with family, friends and more than 3,000 others who were participating in a walk to raise money and awareness for those struggling with Breast Cancer on Saturday morning.

Milwaukee’s lakefront was scattered with shades of pink and sprinkles of purple as the participants in the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk wore team shirts, name badges and signs honoring loved ones who were affected by breast cancer.  A variety of organizations and local Milwaukee companies turned up for the event. With representatives ranging from local hospitals to local sororities, the diversity of people demonstrated how breast cancer affects people from all walks of life.

Hardwick was able to do the walk with her two daughters after struggling with Breast Cancer for over two years. The family traveled from Delavan, Wis. to participate in their second breast cancer walk. “It’s awesome!” said Hardwick’s 11 year old daughter, who was thrilled to be walking with her mom.

Although the walk took place the day before mother’s day, the many men in attendance made it clear that it was not just a walk for women.  Many men proudly wore pink as they participated in the event.

Participant Micole Gentry walked with a group of friends. “I think we took third, we passed everybody up,” he joked as he made light of a situation that he said was close to home. Gentry said within his own family he never had anyone struggle with breast cancer but he had two close friends who had. “One friend from high school, his mom died when we were in the 11th grade, right before graduation so that was hard.”

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a nationwide campaign that hosts three to five mile walks throughout the country to raise money for a cure for breast cancer. The campaign unites communities with three main goals:

• Celebrate people who have battled breast cancer
• Educate people about ways to reduce their risk of breast cancer
• Empower people to join the fight against breast cancer

Tents were set up among the registration grounds to provide participants with massages, snacks and other information about treatments. Survivors were given VIP treatment in a tent set up specifically for them by the Making Strides Organization. The tent offered food, coffee, shirts and information about treatment options as well as support groups.

Volunteer Thelma Allen took part in the event not as a walker but as a helper in the survivor tent in honor of her father. “My father actually passed away and he had breast cancer. A lot of men don’t know that they can get breast cancer as well,” said Allen. Allen made it a personal goal to inform men that they too are at risk for breast cancer.

Another tent providing information was one hosted by Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Workers and patients from Cancer Treatment Centers of America handed out gifts and information about the alternative treatment options that are available.

Cancer patient Reopal Holmes helped at the tent while her daughter walked the race in her honor with family and fellow sorority sisters. Holmes has struggled with cancer for 10 years and is an advocate for the work that the Cancer Treatment Centers of America does. “I am in partial remission, but I wouldn’t even be that far without Cancer Treatment Centers of America,” said Holmes.

Holmes won her battle with breast cancer and now is fighting lung cancer with the help of Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She currently travels out of state to a center in Illinois to receive treatment. “It’s scary but you do what you have to do when it comes to saving your life,” said Holmes.