Pink lights illuminated the Prudential Center, Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge and City Hall Plaza Friday night, as Mayor Thomas Menino and the American Cancer Society kicked off a weekend dedicated to “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.” Supporters waved pink pom-poms at the rally and lighting ceremony, which marked the 10th anniversary of the breast cancer awareness event.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a non-competitive walking event, was founded in Boston in 1993. In its first year, 6,000 participants raised $650,000. Since then, according to the society’s website, the event has expanded to 200,000 participants and raised more than $19 million.
MSABC has also spread to more than 80 other cities. The walk aims to raise money for breast cancer research and increase people’s awareness of breast cancer. The donations collected by walkers go to research, education, advocacy and support.
In the past, funds have helped provide research grants and mobile mammography vans, among many other services. According to the American Cancer Society, the death rate from breast cancer has declined 23.3 percent in Massachusetts since MSABC’s creation.
Friday evening’s rally was part of a campaign to “Paint the Town Pink,” in celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and MSABC’s birthday. The campaign is another way of recognizing Boston’s commitment to eradicating breast cancer. City sidewalks will sport murals and pink footprints, the Gillette building’s sign will be pink, and pink footprints and ribbons will be found all over the city.
“We’re painting the town pink to remind people to get involved,” said Don Gudaitis, chief executive of the New England chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Gudaitis spoke of improvements made in the last 10 years, including the drastically decreased mortality rate and more free access to mammograms. He encouraged those in attendance to stay active in the cause, saying “our best weapon is you.”
Menino stressed the need for education and early detection of cancer, advocating the idea of giving all employees four hours a year off of work for free to have a mammogram.
Those attending the rally said they were eager to help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.
Allyson Doherty, who is leading a team in Sunday’s walk, got involved after her grandmother suffered the disease.
“Even if we only raise $20, that’s $20 to go toward curing the disease,” she said.
Fellow teammate Vanessa Connolly, whose close friends have been struck by breast cancer, said she was walking “so people don’t have to worry about breast cancer anymore.”
Breast cancer survivor Janice DeBlosi is part of “Team 10 Challenge,” a team of 10 walkers trying to raise more than $250,000. She has raised $4,200 thus far, she said, through a letter-writing campaign to friends, family and business associates.
DeBlosi has been walking since the event’s inception and noted in the past 10 years, researchers have learned a great deal about breast cancer, and awareness has been extremely heightened. She said she hopes in 10 more years, there won’t be any need for the walk because a cure will be found.