Fundraising kicks off for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk – WIBW

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The American Cancer Society kicked off fundraising efforts Tuesday for its annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

They hosted a fundraising luncheon at the Foundry in Topeka for the annual walk set for October 12th. Last year, 500 participants raised $45,000 for cancer research.

Survivors like Marilyn Revell say your donations make a life-changing difference.

“The fundraising goes for research and patient support, and early detection and diagnosis,” Revell said.

She knows personally how important those things can be. 13 News met Revell last October at her doctor’s visit after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It was also found out that it had already progressed to my bones, so I’m a metastatic breast cancer person which means it doesn’t go away,” she said.

She said just like her, 2,500 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in Kansas alone. 250 of them will die.

She joined others Tuesday, including 13’s Deneysha Richard, to jump-start the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk fundraiser.

“There were 30 of us last year on my team, Marilyn’s marathoners,” she explained. “Not that we are long-distance runners, obviously, but we are in it for the long haul.”

The 5-K walk starts at the Statehouse grounds at 9:30 am, and loops around the downtown area. Check-in starts at 8:30 am.

Revell says many people know someone with breast cancer, and with her life expectancy at just three to five years, she finds purpose in helping others not feel alone in their fight to survive.

“So many people have gone through it and the support is out there,” she said. “It helps you to realize what a blessing every day is.”

To donate or sign up to participate just click here.