East End American Cancer Society Event Makes Strides Against Breast Cancer

Hosted for the first time at Suffolk County Community College’s Eastern Campus in Riverhead, the Annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Sunday, October 23rd was an incredible success. The walk is one of the American Cancer Society’s biggest events – raising awareness and funds to fight breast cancer.

“Today’s event was a moving example of passion in action,” said Patti Lestrange Mack, Communications Manager for the Society. “Our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk ensures no one faces breast cancer alone by bringing the community together, funding innovative breast cancer research, promoting education and risk reduction and providing comprehensive patient support to those who need it most.”

The primary goal of the event is to provide a network of support for all women who have fought or continue to fight breast cancer. By participating in the noncompetitive, three to five-mile walks, participants help strengthen that system of support. Funds raised at these events help in breast cancer research, education, and patient services.

“We’re coming together to support women battling breast cancer, to remember those who’ve lost the battle, and to push for continued advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment,” Suffolk County Community College President Dr. Shaun L. McKay said. “We are proud to host this event for the first time on our Eastern Campus, and look forward to a long and successful relationship with the American Cancer Society and the search for a cure.”

The hugely successful event rallied over 4,000 participants and raised over $150,000 for cancer research.

“The Suffolk Community College Foundation is celebrating this event and raising awareness of breast cancer on Long Island with the establishment of the Breast Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Scholarship,” said Dr. Sylvia Diaz, Suffolk Community College Foundation executive director. “This is the first of its kind scholarship at Suffolk and we are delighted to provide this critical and humane support to students and families impacted by breast cancer in hopes that their studies will make a difference in the fight against this cruel disease.”

To learn more about this mission, visit www.cancer.org. For more information about the Breast Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Scholarship, visit sunysuffolk.org.