October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Sunday marks an opportunity to celebrate survivors.
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk continues despite Hurricane Ian hitting the area less than a month ago.
The walk is one of the biggest breast cancer fundraisers in Southwest Florida. It is sponsored by WINK News and our partners at Gulfshore Life. WINK News anchors Lois Thome and Lindsey Sablan will be there to participate in the event.
Most people think of breast cancer as a women’s disease, but men can be affected too. The money raised will support patients and funds to research a cure.
The fundraiser event is being held at the softball fields at North Collier Regional Park. The walk began at 10 a.m. Sunday.
In addition to the walk, there is a social gathering for people to connect and share stories. There is also be a DJ and food trucks at the event. Even if you don’t want to walk, you are still encouraged to join in the festivities.
The co-chair for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, Merry Coffman, is excited about what the walk can do for the community right now.
“The last few weeks have been a real challenge for all of us here in Southwest Florida. And each day, we’re meeting those challenges head-on, and every move that we make, we are bringing our community together. And I believe that the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is one of those positive moves of community togetherness that we absolutely need in these times right now.”
It is also an opportunity for survivors to meet and share stories.
Coffman is happy to help host the walk and bring awareness to something that hits close to home for her and so many others.
“I have a personal experience with breast cancer with one of my closest friends. She passed away in 2016. And so I co-chair in her honor, and I continue to participate in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in her honor. And I know there are so many people like me who have been impacted by breast cancer.”
If you can’t make it to the event but want to donate, you can do so by clicking here.