Breast Cancer Walk

By Amy Bernstein

There was a sea of pink and Santa Clara gear at the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday morning. 

 

Several Santa Clara students organized teams to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. The 2.4 mile walk started at 8:30 a.m. at the Guadalupe River Trail and Arena Green and continued through downtown San Jose. The atmosphere was encouraging and positive, as several volunteers stood around the edges of the trail cheering the walkers on. 

 

"It made it easy to be so early," said senior Katie Joe Sells.

Some groups made t-shirts and dressed up for the event. One team, Wonderfully Made, created signs and dressed all in  pink.

 

The Relay for Life Club made t-shirts as well as wore stickers to commemorate why they were walking. Some wished to honor a friend or family member who is battling, has battled or lost a battle to cancer. 

 

"I personally walked for my mother and grandmother, each two-time survivors of breast cancer," said junior Kristin Schulz.

Kendra McClelland also walked for her family. 

 

"Breast cancer runs in my family," she said. Her team, Wonderfully Made, also walked in support of one of their members, whose mom is a breast cancer survivor. She even flew out from Chicago to participate in the event.

 

Others walked simply to support a good cause. "We created a team as a way to be proactive outside of the (Santa Clara) community," said senior Mark Coutler.

 

Throughout the walk downtown, walkers passed by coffee shops, restaurants, the Fairmont and San Jose State University. 

"There was lots of positive energy emitted from Guadalupe River Park on Saturday," said Coulter.

 

Even though the stroll only took a little over an hour to complete, it generated awareness throughout the area. Not only did it raise funds for breast cancer research, but it also served as a way to remember those who have lost their battle. 

 

After the event, the Wonderfully Made team received a surprise at lunch when a woman who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer spoke to the girls who were about to go through radiation. She thanked them for their support and shared with them how much it meant to her that people she didn't even know were fighting for her. 

 

"It showed all of the girls that we were really making a difference," said McClelland. 

 

The walk was also a good way to spend time with friends and support a good cause.

 

"Being in a group made the experience," said McClelland.

 

Although the event required participants to wake up early and walk for a few miles, it was a rewarding experience felt by most.

 

"My feet hurt afterwards, but it was definitely worth it because I felt like I was making a difference," said Schulz.

 

Contact Amy Bernstein at abernstein@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4948.