The Community Walk for Breast Cancer, on September 27, raised over $60,000 with over 300 walkers participating at James Baird State Park in Pleasant Valley. 50 women walking were survivors and many were still in treatment for breast cancer.

“We were thrilled to see so many survivors, like me, walking with us,” Dana Effron, co-founder of the Foundation stated. “The Walk committee, this year, was chaired by Emily Himelstein, a recent survivor and her entire committee of 12 women was all breast cancer survivors, as well.”

“”Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the U.S. (excluding skin cancer), and in 2008, an estimated 182,460 new cases will be diagnosed; in Dutchess County, the average is 200 per year,” explained Cathy Varunok, co-founder of the Foundation.

“If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram.”

“As frightening as the statistics are, there is still good news: the survival rate for breast cancer has increased exponentially in the past ten years. The simple explanation is that we are finding it and then treating it in the earlier stages,” said Mrs. Varunok, an Occupational Therapist specializing in breast cancer treatment.

The National Cancer Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that women in their forties and older have mammograms every one to two years. A complete early detection plan also includes regular clinical breast examinations by a trained medical professional. Monthly breast self-exams are suggested in addition.

“The Community Walk is intended to honor those who have been treated for breast cancer and to remember those who are no longer with us. Its purpose is to bring awareness to the disease and the fact that women need to have mammograms at least once a year,” Mrs. Effron explained.

The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation not only provides funding for support services for people affected by breast cancer, it tries to educate and disseminate information as well. To date, they have funded mammogram projects in Westchester, Putnam, Ulster and Dutchess Counties. The Northern Westchester Hospital project seeks to identify members of the Latina community who are at risk for breast cancer and bring them to the hospital for a mammogram. The Medical Gap Care Fund for individuals who are faced with life emergencies and/or costs not covered by health insurance while they are undergoing treatment for breast cancer, has paid for countless mammograms in the eight counties of the Hudson Valley covered by the Foundation.

“We would like to thank our Walk Chairman, Emily Himelstein and her committee, for their tireless efforts on our behalf, and our major sponsors: the Poughkeepsie Journal, DRA Imaging, the Irving & Gloria Schlossberg Family Fund, Dr. Arthur Menken, Kirshon & Co. and Dr. Radhika Rachamalla, ” Mrs. Effron and Mrs. Varunok said.

The Community Walk for Breast Cancer – Join us for our flagship fundraiser. Get involved!

The Community Walk for Breast Cancer is on Sunday, September 27, 2009 at James Baird State Park in Pleasant Valley, New York. Sign up to walk.

Walk with us and raise money for Breast Cancer support in the Hudson Valley region! You can register online at Active.com (preferred), or pick up a registration form at any Hannaford’s or Adams Fairacre Farms stores. Registration is $25. Register and start getting pledges now. (Walkers should be pre-registered. The entry fee for walkers who register the day of the walk is $35.)

The 2009 Community Walk for Breast Cancer honors Emmy Josephs. She is a staunch supporter of Miles of Hope. Each year she raises thousands of dollars for the Walk and attends all of our functions. She is a 12 year breast cancer survivor and a massage therapist here in the Hudson Valley. We are thrilled to be honoring Emmy this year.

It is our HOPE that each walker will raise at least $100 to support the programs run by Miles of Hope. We encourage you to raise money above and beyond the entry fee. You may track donations on paper, or use the fundraising page that is set up for you automatically when you register online. All proceeds from this walk go to the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. All checks should be made payable to Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

• Road Marker in honor or memory of someone – $150 [order a Road Marker now] Last day to order a road marker: Sept 18
• T-Shirt Sponsor – Name on t-shirt, gift bag item – $500
• Event Sponsor – Name on t-shirt, gift bag item, name in all pre-Walk publicity (radio and print) – $1000
• Multi-Event Sponsor – Name on t-shirt at all events (Hoops for Hope, Family Fun Run, Goals for Hope, Community Walk), gift bag item at Brunch and Walk, name in all publicity for all 5 Foundation-sponsored events – $5000

There will be prizes for:
Team with the most walkers
Team who raises the most money
Individual who raises the most money wins 2 full-day passes with a meal at the Mohonk Mountain House.

James Baird State Park is located off the Taconic State Parkway between Routes 44 and 55 in Pleasant Valley, NY. Walkers need to arrive by 9:00 AM. Opening Ceremonies are at 9:30 AM. Warm-up is at 9:45 AM, and the walk starts at 10:00 AM.

Pre-register by September 15th to receive a t-shirt at no charge. The walk is 5K. A shorter garden walk is available for those not able to complete the 5K, and all are welcome. Kids under age 12 walk free with a paying adult. Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Sign Up to Walk
Donate to this event
Sponsor a Walker (click “Search” to see a list of walkers)
Buy a Road Marker (done)

Thanks to this year’s Walk for Hope Sponsors:

Please Patronize Our Walk for Hope 2009 T-Shirt Sponsors
CDPHP | MD Imaging | Dr. Mary Ann Salcetti | Ecosystem Strategies, Inc. | Tarshis, Catania, Liberth, Mahon & Milligram, PLLC | Mid Hudson Plastic Surgery Center | Judelson, Giordano & Siegel , CPA, PC | Dr. Thomas Haggerty

Thank You To These $1000+ Donors To Walk for Hope 2009
Kirshon & Co. | The Gloria & Irving Schlossberg Family Fund | DRA Imaging | Dr. Arthur Menken | Dr. Radhika Rachamalla

Thanks also to all the walkers and everyone supporting the walkers, and all our volunteers and supporters. We couldn’t do it without you!

Event Info
September 27, 2009
Registration: 9:00 AM
Opening Ceremonies: 9:30 AM
Walk Starts: 10:00 AM
James Baird State Park
Pleasant Valley, NY

The Community Walk for Breast Cancer on September 28, 2008 was a great success with over 400 walkers helping to raise $40,000. We honored Alice Scheff, metistatic breast cancer survivor and we recognized her special form of breast cancer with a City of Poughkeepsie Proclamation declaring October 13, 2008, Metistatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Thank you to all participants and all businesses who helped make the day a great success.

What a fantastic Walk for Hope! Join us again next year.

Click for more photos.