October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to support research efforts, educate, raise much needed funds, and increase awareness of the disease. There are very few of us that haven’t been touched by this dreadful adversary, with many dealing with the disease on a very personal level and many others that have lost loved ones along the way.
The retail loss prevention community has always proven to be strong supporters of worthwhile causes. Our community has overwhelmingly echoed the importance of volunteering and their willingness to participate, offering their time, services, and other resources to help others. And yet once again we find ourselves honoring those that have stepped up to support a worthwhile cause with companies and individuals across the country participating in “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walks. While many of those that have taken part in these efforts wish to keep their individual participation more private, we still wanted to voice our gratitude and respect by further sharing this important message.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks are the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, uniting nearly 300 communities with a shared determination to finish the fight against breast cancer. Founded by Massachusetts cancer survivor Margery “Margie” Gould Rath in 1984, the walk was seen as a way to bring people together in an event to move the fight against cancer forward. The first event, held in Boston, drew 200 participants and instantly became an annual city tradition. The event officially became known as the American Cancer Society “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk in 1993, attracting 5,000 walkers at events in Boston and in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Since then, this vision has inspired more than 11 million walkers to participate in “Making Strides” events across the country, raising more than $685 million to fight breast cancer. Passionate walk participants raise critical funds that enable the American Cancer Society to fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and provide free, comprehensive information and support to those impacted by breast cancer.
Important Facts
While most people are aware of breast cancer, many still fail to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. The damaged cells can invade surrounding tissue, but with early detection and treatment, most people continue living a normal life. Some additional facts:
• One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.
• Each year it is estimated that over 220,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die.
• Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,150 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 410 will die each year
Volunteers are critical partners of and participants in societies throughout the world. Whether actively giving their time and services, or providing funds and other resources to those in need, these efforts are critical to so many here and across the globe. Your support helps raise awareness and funds that help people reduce their risk of cancer; provide free programs and services for breast cancer patients; and fund groundbreaking breast cancer research.
If you would like to learn more, we encourage you to click here.
The retail loss prevention community’s support of “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walks help give us the power to make a real difference in the battle to end breast cancer. Together, we can make strides to save lives.