“The next big step in the fight against cancer is the one we take together.”
That's the tagline for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement, and it's a fitting one. This annual fundraising walk, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is all about coming together with the community for a common cause. Every picture you see from the event tells the same tale: a sea of pink, united as one, walking toward the same goal.
This year's walk takes place on October 14. With the sense of community and togetherness that we all share in Concord, it should be no surprise that our regional walk raises more money per capita than any other walk in the country. But, with 2.6 million people in the United States having been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer, there's no time to stop and pat yourself on the back. Get out there and start taking some real steps!
Need any more reason to participate? Just read on; we've got testimonials from team captains, profiles in courage of survivors and those that carry the torch for others who have passed away, artwork from survivors and much more.
If you want to put a team together, participate in the walk yourself or just donate, all you have to do is visit makingstrideswalk.org/concordnh, call 738-4404 or email teams@concordstrides.com. With your help, this year's walk will be bigger than ever.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Making Strides walk, and look at how it’s grown!
1993: $3,000
1994: $8,000
1995: $12,000
1996: $20,000
1997: $32,000
1998: $64,000
1999: $109,000
2000: $158,000
2001: $164,000
2002: $175,000
2003: $267,000
2004: $329,500
2005: $335,000
2006: $430,298
2007: $506,311
2008: $560,843
2009: $529,498
2010: $505,269
2011: $568,089
Total: $4,776,808 raised
Here's a complete schedule of the day's events:
October 14, Memorial Field
- 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Registration and team photos.
- 12:30 p.m.: Survivors are invited to gather outside the survivor tent to walk in unity to the front of the stage.
- 12:45 p.m.: Survivor photo.
- 12:45 p.m.: Opening ceremonies
- 1 PM: Walk. It is a five-mile walk, with a shortened Survivor Way – a 2.5-mile route for survivors and their family and friends.
Inpidual walkers are welcome. All participants must register. Walkers are invited to pre-register at makingstrideswalk.org/concordnh. There is no registration fee. However, since this is a fundraiser, the event coordinators ask all participants to consider making a donation. Anyone raising $75 or more will receive a long-sleeve Making Strides 20th anniversary event t-shirt.
The entire Governor Hugh Gallen Park is available for parking. Please enter the parkway off Pleasant Street or Clinton Street. Please avoid using Fruit Street.
For the safety of all participants, please leave dogs and all wheeled vehicles at home. Children’s strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs are welcome.
There will be courtesy buses along the route for anyone who wants a ride back to the field.
Need assistance? Just look for an Ambassador in a neon green shirt – they’ll be happy to help you out!
