7,500 people 'made strides against breast cancer' in Richmond.

By Kathleen Whitlow

Taking patients to and from breast cancer treatment. Providing lodging close to treatment centers when patients must travel long distances. Raising the confidence of women through beauty and makeup lessons.

Those are just some of the services provided by the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program, a nationwide series of fundraising walks held by the American Cancer Society.

The society held a 5-kilometer Making Strides walk on Oct. 19 in downtown Richmond. It raised nearly $575,000 to help in the fight against breast cancer.

“This was my first year participating in the event, and I had a great time helping to raise money for the women suffering from this disease,” said Walker Linette Laso, one of the 7,500 walkers in Richmond.

“Knowing the programs that Making Strides has for breast cancer patients and survivors makes me want to give as much as I can.”

The walk has been held in Richmond for seven years. In the past, it took place in Byrd Park. But as the number of participants grew by about 1,000 a year, last month’s event was moved downtown – to between Dominion and Kanawha plazas.

“We really liked the new site,” said Stephanie Ashley, director of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Richmond.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer recruits participants and volunteers for the events through businesses. The program seeks people who have a passion for finding a cure for breast cancer and who have an interest in advancing a good cause.

Walks range from 3 miles to 5 miles and are held in cities across the country.

Supporters of the American Cancer Society, women suffering from breast cancer and breast cancer survivors collect donations and participate in the walk.

Besides raising money, the event celebrates breast-cancer survivors, raises awareness about the disease and gives hope to women battling breast cancer.

“Making Strides Against Breast Cancer raises money for programs and services for cancer patients,” Ashley said.

“Some of the things that the fundraising goes towards are wigs, prosthesis breasts and free makeup to help with the self-esteem of the patients and survivors.”

The Richmond 5K started between the Dominion and Kanawha plazas, went across the Manchester Bridge, along Semmes Avenue, across the Robert E. Lee Bridge, up Second Street and down Cary Street to the finish line, which was lined with pink and white balloons.

“I really enjoyed the view of the day, going across the bridges and seeing the river and the skyline of the city,” Linette Laso said. “It was a perfect day for this.”