Boston Battles Breast Cancer With Oct. 6 Walk

On Oct. 6, join the American Cancer Society to fight breast cancer by participating in the 21st Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Boston. The five-mile walk will begin and end at the DCR Hatch Shell.

"Making Strides Against Breast Cancer unites us to walk together as the most powerful force to end breast cancer," said Bridgett Herzog, Director of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Boston. "The progress we are making is remarkable, but we need volunteers to help us finish the fight through their fundraising and participation."

The inspiring event will unite the entire community to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate the public about the importance of prevention and early detection, and raise funds to help the American Cancer Society do the most for people with breast cancer today to end the disease tomorrow.

Making Strides walks in nearly 300 communities nationwide, help to raise $60 million dollars for the American Cancer Society each year to save lives from breast cancer. The dollars raised fund groundbreaking research to find, prevent, treat, and cure breast cancer; ensure access to mammograms for women who need them; and provide free resources and support to the one in two newly diagnosed women who turn to the Society for help and support, including transportation and lodging during treatment.

Making Strides in Boston will also feature a unique opportunity for residents to enroll in the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). The national study will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer, and will further efforts to eliminate cancer as a major health concern for future generations.

CPS- 3 enrollees must be between the ages of 30 and 65, must never have been diagnosed with cancer, and must be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study. Qualified participants can enroll between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the CPS-3 Tent, no appointment necessary. While initial enrollment takes just 20 to 30 minutes, the study is expected to produce benefits for decades to come. For more information or to learn how to become involved with CPS-3, visit cancer.org/cps3, email cps3@cancer org, or call toll-free 1-888-604-5888.

2013 marks 100 years of the American Cancer Society saving lives. The milestone is an opportunity to recognize the lifesaving progress made and the commitment to take more action: as the ACS notes, "Silence won't finish the fight -- only action will."

The 21st Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer will step off at 10 a.m. on Oct. 6 at the DCR Hatch Shell in Boston. There is no fee to register; a 3-mile option is also available. For information, call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345, email [email protected], or visit MakingStridesWalk.org/bostonma