PERRYSBURG – An estimated 6,000 Northwest Ohio residents will join together at The Town Center at Levis
Commons on May 10 for the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
event.
The non-competitive 5K unites walkers in an effort to celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate people
about how to reduce their breast cancer risk, and to raise funds for research and treatment.
There are a number of events leading up to the walk in May, including a free kick-off breakfast on Feb.
22 at the Hilton Garden Inn. It is open to anyone interested in learning more about the walk.
Registration for the Saturday breakfast will open at 8 a.m., with breakfast and programming from 8:30 to
9:30 a.m. Presenting sponsor of the morning celebration is Robert M. Thompson from Merrill Lynch Wealth
Management and the guest speaker is Dr. Helen Mabry, a breast cancer surgeon at the University of Toledo
Medical Center.
To register for the breakfast call 1-888-227 -6446, ext. 5003.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has raised over $450 million nationally with 8 million walkers
across the country. 2014 marks the eighth annual MSABC event in Northwest Ohio, which has raised
$500,000 since its inaugural year.
The 2014 goal for the 5-K is to raise $126,000 locally.
Perrysburg resident Deb Buker, editor of the Perrysburg Messenger Journal, has been named the 2014
Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor. Her story will be recognized at this year’s walk.
More than 230,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States in 2013. While the
for-profit sector saw declining demand for products and services over the past few years, the opposite
is true for organizations like the American Cancer Society who have seen demand for their patient
services increase during the economic downturn.
Funds raised by events like Making Strides are critical to meeting the needs of those affected by the
disease.
Visit cancer.org/stridesonline to sign up to walk or make a donation. For more about breast cancer, call
1-800-227-2345.