More than 300 people — breast cancer survivors, family members, friends and supporters — took the North Fork Breast Health Coalition’s 18th annual 5K walk Sunday morning at Tanger Outlets in Riverhead.
The event is a fundraiser for the coalition, which supports research to identify the causes of breast cancer and works to educate women about the importance of self-breast exams and annual mammograms as preventive measures. The organization conducts educational outreach programs at health fairs and other community forums and provides educational programs at local schools, churches, and civic organizations. It also provides direct support and services to breast cancer patients and survivors living on the North Fork. These include yoga, reflexology, massage therapy and a semi-monthly support group. See the North Fork Breast Health Coalition website for more information.
Tanger has hosted the 5K since its inception in 1998 and is committed to helping raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and support, said the Riverhead outlet mall’s general manager Janine Nebons.
One in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. In 2016, an estimated 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 61,000 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. There will be an estimated 40,450 breast cancer deaths in the U.S. this year.
Tanger Outlets general manager Janine Nebons said the company is proud to support the effort to raise money for the North Fork Breast Health Coalition, which provides valuable services to local women coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.
Councilman James Wooten attended the walk on behalf of the Town of Riverhead. The Mattituck High School NJROTC Color Guard presented the colors prior to the walk stepping off this morning around 9 a.m.
SoutholdLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
