Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

CENTRAL VALLEY – Thousands of local breast cancer survivors, friends, family and those affected by Breast Cancer came together in the 23rd annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets on Sunday.

Each year the October event draws roughly 10,000 people to the large outdoor shopping space. David Mistretta, general manager of Woodbury Common Premium Outlets said, “We are proud to host this event every year. We believe it has raised over $10 million for breast cancer awareness.” He also noted that a lot of hard work and planning takes place to ensure the success of this large event. In fact, planning for next year’s event will begin almost immediately after this one concludes.

Maritza Calderon, a two year breast cancer survivor with her team "The Pink Zumbaras" joined with thousands of people, including cancer survivors, their families and businesses, that participated in the annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY on Sunday, October 14, 2018. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.
Maritza Calderon, a two year breast cancer survivor with her team “The Pink Zumbaras” joined with thousands of people, including cancer survivors, their families and businesses, that participated in the annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY on Sunday, October 14, 2018. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

“It’s about raising awareness, it’s about raising money for this disease that we need to conquer. It’s something we love being a part of and we love having it at our property and it’s amazing that it’s 23 years and we look forward to doing it until a cure is found,” Mistretta said.

Whether we’ve faced it ourselves, or someone we love has, almost everyone has been affected by breast cancer in some way. But at the same time, we can all do something about it.

Maritza Calderon, a two year breast cancer survivor, along with her team, “The Pink Zumbaras,” were all front and center Sunday morning to heed the call. For the past several weeks Calderon has been working diligently to raise much needed funds, and awareness, to combat breast cancer. And on Sunday she delivered over $2,000 to the American Cancer Society. She was also walking in memory of her two aunt’s that passed away from breast cancer.

“Thing 1 Thing 2” was once again one of the year’s top fundraising team’s. Consisting of two women who are breast cancer survivors, they understand that by donating to a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event you’re helping the American Cancer Society make a difference in so many ways, from funding innovative breast cancer research to simply providing a hand to hold.

Thousands of people, including cancer survivors, their families and businesses, participated in the annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY on Sunday, October 14, 2018. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.
Thousands of people, including cancer survivors, their families and businesses, participated in the annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY on Sunday, October 14, 2018. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

That couldn’t ring more true for Bobbi Checksfield, a 21 year breast cancer survivor, who was surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, as she has been participating in the walk since 1997.

Many who braved the cold morning to support such a worthy cause didn’t seem to even notice the chilly temperature as they were thrilled to be in the company of their breast cancer survivor loved ones or in the embrace of a supportive community determined to raise funds to find a cure to this dreaded disease.

Along the walk thru the premium outlets, people shared stories of treatment and overcoming adversity, while pledging to keep fighting for a cure. That sentiment was sometimes displayed with humor – “Save the Tata’s” and “Save Second Base” were some of the signs seen in a sea of pink, vowing to never give up until a cure is found.

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