American Cancer Society MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER RAISES MORE THAN $400,000
Nearly 12,000 Participants Make Strides Against Breast Cancer
Nearly 12,000 local breast cancer survivors, volunteers and community members walked together as a unified force to end breast cancer at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising walk on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa at Summerlin, helping to raise more than $400,000. Participant and fundraising totals both exceeded totals from last year’s event.
The non-competitive and inspiring event united the entire community to honor and celebrate people who have battled breast cancer, communicate awareness about the importance of early detection and prevention, and raise money to find cures and support programs and services for those facing the disease.
“More than 230,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease,” said American Cancer Society Senior Director, Community Engagement Jennifer Campbell. “The money raised at the Las Vegas Making Strides event will help the American Cancer Society in its mission to reduce those numbers by eliminating cancer as a major health problem.”
This year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event was one of nearly 300 held across the country. The dollars raised during the event enable the American Cancer Society to fund groundbreaking research to find, prevent, treat and cure breast cancer; ensure access to mammograms for women who need them; and provide free resources and support to the one in two newly diagnosed women who turn to the Society for help and support, including transportation and lodging during treatment.
Since 1993, nearly nine million walkers across the United States have raised more than $528 million to help fight breast cancer through Making Strides events. Last year alone, more than one million participants raised over $60 million helping to save more than 350 lives each day.
The American Cancer Society currently funds 234 breast cancer research projects totaling $81.5 million, and thanks in part to the progress we’re making together, death rates from breast cancer have dropped by 33% since the early 1990s, translating to 184,000 lives saved that would have otherwise been lost to breast cancer.
Some of the local American Cancer Society programs and services supported through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer include:
Reach to Recovery® – A program that links newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors to offer information, answer questions and provide support while serving as role models for life after breast cancer.
Look Good…Feel Better® – A program that provides women with cancer an educational session run by professional cosmetologists on how to manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.
Road to RecoverySM – Transportation to lifesaving medical appointments can be a challenge for someone with cancer. An American Cancer Society volunteer will drive patients to and from treatment.
Patient Navigators – A program that provides guidance for cancer patients, their families and caregivers to help them through the cancer treatment experience, with a focus on identifying and eliminating barriers to cancer care for the medically underserved.
Cancer Resource Centers – Cancer Resource Center volunteers deliver timely information, available programs and services, promote informed decision making and enhance the quality of life for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Patient Lodging – The Society’s Patient Lodging Program provides free or reduced rate accommodations to cancer patients and their families traveling long distances for treatment.
For more information about breast cancer, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org/stridesonline.
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society’s efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we’re determined to finish the fight against cancer. We’re finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.