TAMPA, Fla. – Saturday morning in Tampa, a sea of pink took over the streets round Raymond James Stadium as greater than 30,000 folks participated within the Making Strides Towards Breast Most cancers stroll.
It’s all to rejoice survivors, honor these misplaced and help these at the moment combating, and to boost cash for the American Most cancers Society. FOX 13 is a proud sponsor, and members of the FOX 13 household supported survivors on the stroll, together with Anchor Laura Moody who emceed.
READ: Two-time breast most cancers survivor, former Miss Florida USA advocates for most cancers sufferers
Dig deeper:
“I underwent two surgical procedures and shall be on treatment for the following 5 years, however I survived,” Karen Devaney, a breast most cancers survivor, stated.
Devaney stated her annual mammogram saved her life. Final 12 months, she was identified with stage two breast most cancers. Saturday, a gaggle of a number of of her relations and associates joined her on the two-and-a-half mile stroll.
“I used to be nervous about having all the things excellent for all my family and friends that have been coming in, and considered one of my associates made me step again, and she or he informed me, ‘Karen, you need not make all the things excellent.’ She’s like, ‘we’re simply glad to be right here strolling with you and never having to be strolling for you,’” Devaney stated.
Devaney is now a Portraits of Hope Ambassador, a neighborhood chief serving to unfold the American Most cancers Society’s mission of ending breast most cancers.
“It has been a really superb expertise, and I am so excited that I get to signify such an ideal group,” she stated.
Dr. Christina Layton, a board-certified common surgeon specializing in breast surgical oncology with the BayCare Medical Group, echoed Devaney’s message in regards to the significance of early detection.
“We’re seeing youthful sufferers with extra superior cancers,” Layton stated. “So, I actually, I at all times inform my sufferers, you will be your personal finest advocate. Get your annual mammogram as a result of with early detection. It is simpler to deal with. We have now extra therapy choices.”
READ: Moffitt Most cancers Middle honoring breast most cancers sufferers by ‘Portraits of Hope’
A message of hope unfold by a sea of hundreds in pink.
What they’re saying:
“It’s actually unbelievable. It makes me notice how a lot the neighborhood cares about us as survivors, these combating, these dwelling with metastatic breast most cancers,” Devaney stated.
“It is stunning,” Nancy Ortiz, a breast most cancers survivor, stated. “1000’s of individuals. I am so grateful. I’m very grateful for all these folks which can be right here for us. I am simply cheering on those that are nonetheless surviving and making an attempt to maintain on going ahead. Life is treasured.”
What you are able to do:
Ultimately examine Saturday afternoon, they’d raised virtually $1 million for the American Most cancers Society to assist fund native initiatives, just like the Hope Lodge, and most cancers analysis. You possibly can donate by the tip of the month on-line.
The Supply: This story was written with info supplied by Making Strides of Tampa Bay, BayCare Medical Group and breast most cancers survivors who shared their tales.
