GENEVA – Denise Brown is impressed by how people show their support year after year at the UH Geneva Medical Center Walk for the Cure for breast cancer.
“Every year, it’s amazing to see people come with custom shirts they have made,” she said. “It’s a wonderful event.”
She said the participants’ shirts have pictures of their loved ones with messages of support and encouragement or in memory of someone who has passed.
She said people really get creative.
“It’s so amazing to see,” she said. “Families come in big groups and they’re all matching. It’s really something.”
This year, the UH Geneva Medical Center Walk for the Cure will be held from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 20, at Geneva High School. It’s open to the community.
“This will be the 26th year,” Brown, the supervisor of community outreach and wellness for UH Conneaut and Geneva, said. “Everyone walks as one big group.”
Proceeds will benefit the free UH mammogram program for those who are without insurance, UH breast cancer programs, and UH research and education on breast cancer.
There is no fundraising goal, however.
“We just try to raise as much as we can, and we’re appreciative of any funds,” Brown said.
Last year, 192 walkers took part, with 44 survivors. The Walk raised $14,253.
UH Geneva Medical Center will put the form to register with all contact information on its Facebook page.
People can also register on the day of the event at the table in front of the school by the parking lot.
Survivors can take part for free. Everyone else pays $20, with the first 200 receiving a t-shirt.
From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., registration, a basket raffle, 50/50s and other activities will take place followed by the walk from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. outside the high school.
The survivors’ ceremony will take place from 1:30-2 p.m. inside the high-school auditorium.
Brown said the event is very special.
“It’s for a fantastic cause,” she said. “It’s a very emotional day because we’re celebrating those who have won the fight, but also honoring those who have lost.”
For the survivors’ ceremony speakers, the hope is to have a survivor speak as well as physician talk about the importance of screening.
Flowers are presented to survivors, with a recognition of the years that they have survived breast cancer.
Survivors get a gift bag and a special designated pink t-shirt.
