WESTFIELD-Teens M.A.D. (Making A Difference) members are once again donning sneakers for the fourth annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of Pioneer Valley, planned Oct. 16 at Stanley Park.
The 10 a.m. walk is conducted in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, according to Crystal Brown, MS, senior market manager, New England Division of the American Cancer Society (ACS), based in Holyoke.
Brown recently met with members of Teens M.A.D. at Stanley Park, one of the first teams to again sign up to participate and support the cause. Most of the team members are juniors at Southwick High School.
Crystal Brown, MS, of the American Cancer Society, presents small gifts to members of Teens M.A.D. (Making A Difference). The young women are part of one of the first teams to sign up for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Stanley Park. Members include Ashley Barnes, Julia Fox, Mika Fish, and Ashley Marchetti. Marchetti is the team leader.
Ashley Marchetti, team leader, said her mother, Lori Marchetti, was the inspiration for her involvement in the walk last year.
“So many close family members and friends have been diagnosed with breast cancer and participating in this walk allows me to help people,” said Marchetti. “It’s been eye-opening to see how money raised is helping others. It’s a good feeling.”
Lori Marchetti, who also works in the Holyoke ACS office as the office coordinator, echoed those sentiments.
“Last year I mentioned the walk to Ashley and explained how important community service is,” said Lori Marchetti. “She enjoyed the experience last year and this year she registered the team on her own.”
Marchetti’s go-getter friends all received a group text asking them to once again participate this fall and everyone was on board immediately.
For Julia Fox, participating in the walk was an easy decision.
“I lost an aunt eight years ago to breast cancer,” said Fox. “The walk is for a worthy cause and I am happy that the money raised will help a lot of people.”
Mika Fish concurred.
“It’s nice to raise money for people who need it,” said Fish.
Ashley Barnes noted she hasn’t lost anyone in her family to cancer; however, it’s important to get involved in local causes.
“The walk is definitely for an amazing cause,” said Barnes. “It’s important to help people.”
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks are the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, according to the ACS. Funds raised enable the ACS to fund innovative research, provide free information and support to anyone touched by breast cancer, and help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it’s most treatable.
“Last year more than 700 people walked through Stanley Park, raising more than $50,000 to help the American Cancer Society support groundbreaking cancer research and help those with breast cancer,” said Brown. “Money raised at the event supports patients in all communities.”
To form a team for Oct. 16, or for more information on the noncompetitive event, call Brown at (413) 493-2123 or send an email to [email protected].
“People can register online until Oct. 15, and they can also register Oct. 16 by arriving by 10 a.m.,” added Brown.
