Making Strikes against Breast Cancer raises $815,000

Central Valley - More than 10,500 walkers came to the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets last weekend to participate in the American Cancer Society’s 10th Anniversary “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.” Families, friends and coworkers raised $815,000 for the fight against breast cancer. Each year, approximately 912 women in the Hudson Valley will learn that they have breast cancer. About 196 will die each year. For many who walk, those statistics have faces. And Making Strides, the area’s largest breast cancer awareness event, allows them to do something by raise money for research. Like Rochelle Marshall of Monroe. She has participating in the Making Strides event at the Woodbury Common since its first year. She walks with others from her synagogue, Eitz Chaim, in honor of a congregation member, Sandy Shanbaum, a teacher whose life was cut short five years ago by breast cancer. She was in her early 40s. Marshall also is a breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed three years ago, she had radiation treatment for six months and an operation. She noted how there are more breast cancer survivors today than ever before. (Earlier this week, researchers reported their findings about Herceptin, a drug already used for advanced cancer but which has proven to be remarkably effective against an aggressive form of early stage breast cancers. Researchers said its use could cure thousands of women each year in the United States.) Although the weather was chilly due to high winds, the skies were clear and the sun was shining as the walkers registered. Enthusiastic young girls led warm-up exercises and breast cancer survivors were invited onto a stage to share their inspirational stories. As walkers made their way around the outlets, volunteers of all ages were stationed to applaud their efforts and hand out bottles of water. Two such volunteers who braved the frigid morning were Katie Margillo and Nick Valle of Monroe, members of Monroe-Woodbury High School Interact. It was Nick’s first year volunteering at the walk, and Katie’s fourth. The in-kind sponsors included Adirondack Beverage, Panera Bread, Franz Hallmark, Arrow Bus Company, North Jersey Bobcats, Orange County Party Rental, Freihofer’s Bakery Outlet in Chester, Centurian Security, Rockland Bakery, the Woodbury Ambulance Corp, the Woodbury Police Department, the Woodbury Fire Department, Certified Marine Services, Provident Bank, Starbuck’s Coffee and Applebee’s at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, and the security, customer service, maintenance, and custodial staff at Woodbury Common. Other sponsors included: Curves volunteers, the Monroe-Woodbury High School Interact Club, Monroe-Woodbury Teen Outreach, Monroe-Woodbury Youth Against Cancer, Monroe-Woodbury High School Cheerleaders, Nyack High School Youths Against Cancer, WFNP 88.7 FM (“The Edge”) campus radio at the State University of New York at New Paltz, St. Paul’s Lutheran Confirmation Group, Miss Murray’s Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County, All-Star Cheer Connection, Junior Girl Scout Troop 433, Junior League of Orange County, Junior League of Ulster County, the State University of New York at New Paltz Capa Sigma, and the New York State Troopers’ Troop F Color Guard. The American Cancer Society Eastern Division has 46 community-based offices, involving thousands of volunteers throughout New York and New Jersey. Although the walk is over, you can still join the fight against breast cancer by calling 1-800-ACS-2345 or by visiting http://www.acsevents.org/strides/ny/hudsonvalley.