Teams are the heart of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Each year, Concord’s Making Strides teams raise over 85 percent of the total money raised for the event. Teams are made up of a minimum of 10 people each committed to raising at least $100. This year’s largest team is Walkers for Healthy Knockers with 71 team members, following behind them are The Warriors, The Toothfairies, Heidi’s Fight for a Cure and Breastway Disposers all walking more than 40 strong.
The Making Strides T-shirt will be the uniform of the day on Oct. 18 and unites our participant in their common cause to make strides against breast cancer. Teams will proudly display their team names on the back of their shirts. Many of these teams have been fundraising for months while others are working quickly to pull their teams together in the final weeks and days leading up to the event.
The team names are as diverse as the teams they represent, from first time team Bridget’s Busty Babes to CIC Bosom Buddies, which has been participating since the first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in 1992. Being a breast cancer event, you would assume that we have team names inspired by yes, you guessed it, breasts. We have The Breast Brigade, Peter’s Imaging Simply the Breast, Breast Friends Forever and The Breast Savers. And we have breast references: More Than a Handful, Team Sylvania “Save the Headlights” and Save our Weapons of Mass Distraction. Many times there is more to a team name than would first appear, for example Twin Peaks. You may think you understand the reference but did you know this team was formed by a sister to support her twin sister when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer?
Like so many things in life, you need your friends to help you through and all you have to do is look around at some of our team names to see that friendship in action, Ro’s Buds, Goldie’s Gang and Lula’s Peeps. Some team names take a more philosophical approach, Walk with Faith, BraveHearts and Kids for a Cure. Team leader Monique Muise updates her team name Blessed for 9 each year to celebrate another year as a survivor.
Some teams’ names are cute, some a little risque, some serious, some funny, but make no mistake about it, these participants are serious and dedicated to raising money and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
It is never too late to Make Strides and all are welcome to participate in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Concord. So grab a couple friends and come out and make strides with our teams. See a team name you like, ask them about it and they will be happy to share their story. And as you are walking along, you may just be inspired to form your own team for next year.
Registration is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are at 12:45 p.m., with the walk immediately following at 1.
