Lace up those running shoes for a good cause this month. The annual 5k Walk For Breast Cancer Awareness is being held Sunday, September 25 at Tanger Outlet Center.
The 18th annual event will not only raise awareness through the 5k, but will also raise money for the North Fork Breast Health Coalition. Participants are encouraged to solicit pledges of support from friends, family and colleagues. Top fundraising awards will be given in four categories: young adult (13-19 years old), adult, business/team and breast cancer survivor.
An early bird registration fee of $25 will be offered until September 15. Same-day registration will be available for $30. The first 300 entrants will receive an official walk gift bag.
The event has been organized by the coalition for the past 18 years to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women after skin cancer. About one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
Breast cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death in women (lung cancer is the first). Finding breast cancer earlier through frequent screening can decrease the chances of dying from the disease, which is why awareness is such an important goal for organizations like the North Fork Breast Health Coalition.
The coalition, which is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, supports local breast-cancer patients with programs like Helping Hand grants. Funds raised by the event will also allow the group to continue providing free services to patients, including yoga, massage therapy, reflexology and support groups for both breast cancer patients and survivors.
The 5k will be held in the parking lot at Tanger Outlet Center in Riverhead. Same-day registration will be open from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m., when there will be an opening ceremony. A continental breakfast will be available during registration, which will include bagels, muffins and fruit.
There will also be an opportunity to buy raffle tickets for dozens of prizes donated by Tanger Outlet stores and other local businesses.
The walk begins at 9 a.m.
To register or obtain more information, call 631-208-8889, e-mail NFBHC@optonline.net or visit www.nycharities.org, where you can register online. Opportunities to participate as a sponsor of the event are still available and range from $150-$800.
