Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Concord is a volunteer run event. The volunteer planning committee recognizes that each participant stepping onto Memorial Field on Oct. 18 brings with them their own reason for participating. Some may have been recently diagnosed or in the midst of their treatment, others may be celebrating years of survivorship, many are there to show their support and others may be there to honor the memory of someone lost to breast cancer.
For one day they will all be connected by the common cause, the desire to make strides against breast cancer.
The committee understands that the day itself goes beyond the impact that the money raised for the American Cancer Society has on the disease. Making Strides can be a vehicle to heal the heart and to invest in the hope that tomorrow brings, a day to feel the support of the community.
When participants arrive at Making Strides, a special group of people, our volunteer ambassadors will be there to assist them. Our ambassadors say that being at Making Strides to help participants is a privilege.
Ambassador Shelby says, “Being an ambassador has given me the opportunity to connect with participants on a more personal level. Many times I have had an individual ask me for help finding their team sign, and it will turn into a heartfelt conversation about why they are at the walk and who they are walking for. My most special memory as an ambassador was last year during the survivor walk. I was getting slightly emotional and disheveled trying to clear the path to the stage for the survivor procession while also keeping my emotions at bay when a survivor stopped, hugged me and thanked me for what I do. If it weren’t for being an ambassador I would not have been in that place at that time and this woman would not have easily picked me out of the crowd and recognized me for the insignificant work that I was doing at the time compared to the magnitude of what she was facing at that time.”
“It is an honor to be a Making Strides ambassador because I have the privilege of hearing appreciation from so many participants. I have the honor of being present in the midst of more than 5,000 people while watching families and friends hug and join together in these beautiful moments where it seems like they are the only people there. I have a sense of pride watching the volunteer directors give every ounce of energy they have all year to culminate into an amazing event that raises thousands of dollars and builds a mountain of hope for a cure! It is a simply amazing thing to experience,” shares Ambassador Marla.
If on Sunday, you have a question or simply need a friend, look for an ambassador, they will be easy to spot with their neon green shirts amidst the sea of pink and their big smiles.
