With the arrival of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Syracuse chapter of a national organization is putting a light on survivors.
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Audrey Glynn: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the number one cancer movement in the country. With the goal of raising awareness, finding a cause, and uplifting survivors, Syracuse residents are right with the fight.
Robert Elinskas: Some of our best volunteers are survivors because they’ve been through this and they know how important it is to continue to fund research and find that next breakthrough and support other patients on their journeys.
Audrey Glynn: Robert Elinskas is a staff partner at Making Strides of Syracuse. He’s been a part of the movement since the beginning and has watched it grow into the event it has become.
Robert Elinskas: Just recruiting more people to get involved, meeting more survivors, hearing their stories, and learning from them, and then just seeing the progress we’ve made over that time with research and education
Audrey Glynn: With Upstate Medical University, Crouse Hospital and more, Syracuse is a home to healthcare workers. And in just a few weeks, many of them will be right here in Clinton Square for the Making Strides event.
Audrey Glynn: Making Strides of Syracuse is presented by Upstate Cancer Center. The event is a walk around Downtown Syracuse where fundraisers and participants can stroll for a cause, decked out in pink. Elinksas says the support from the Syracuse health care community is powerful, but there will always be more work to do.
Robert Elinskas: Having the care is great, don’t get me wrong, we’re lucky to have the cutting-edge technology and care that we have, but it’s making sure that people have access to that care too. We advocate every year for the New York State Cancer Services Program which provides free screening for people that have little or no health insurance.
Audrey Glynn: Elinksas reminds us that Octobers will come and go, but the journey to cure cancer lives on. Making Strides is just one part of a larger effort to put an end to Breast Cancer.
Robert Elinskas: Cancer doesn’t know particular timelines, and people get diagnosed every month, and they all need those supports. Whenever they can do it to make that difference, we’re welcome to help and support them however we can.
Audrey Glynn: While the walk is only 1.5 miles, a short walk can go a long way. Audrey Glynn, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) — Making Strides of Syracuse is set to walk for a cure this month. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the number one cancer movement in the U.S., and the Syracuse chapter of the organization is returning this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Syracuse is a hub of healthcare employees. With Crouse Hospital, Upstate Medical University, and more, the breast cancer cause is nothing short of important in Central New York. Making Strides Staff Partner Robert Elinskas says the community within the organization is strong.
“Some of our best volunteers are survivors because they’ve been through this and they know how important it is to continue to fund research and find that next breakthrough and support other patients on their journeys,” said Elinskas.
The main event of Making Strides is their walk every Breast Cancer Awareness October. The walk, though short, is a fundraising opportunity for a cure and providing care to those with less access to the equipment that Syracuse healthcare facilities have.
“Having the care is great, don’t get me wrong, we’re lucky to have the cutting-edge technology and care that we have, but it’s making sure that people have access to that care too. We advocate every year for the New York State Cancer Services Program which provides free screening for people that have little or no health insurance,” said Elinskas.
This year’s fundraising goal is $185,000. The total is currently just over $83,000, with some individual participants raising well over $1,000. Making Strides hopes to spread awareness throughout the year, not just in the month of October. Elinskas believes the energy that is being put into Breast Cancer Awareness month and the Making Strides event should be a year-long effort.
“Cancer doesn’t know particular timelines, and people get diagnosed every month, and they all need those supports. Whenever they can do it to make that difference, we’re welcome to help and support them however we can,” said Elinskas.
The event is being held on the morning of October 15 in Clinton Square. Registration is free. For more information, visit https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=105628.