On Sunday Oct. 21 over 100 Kean students participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of Central New Jersey. Students attended and participated in the walk to raise awareness for breast cancer during breast cancer awareness month.
Kean was one of the largest groups to participate in the breast cancer walk. Students that walked with Kean showed the community that Kean is passionate about raising awareness for diseases such as breast cancer. Additionally, Kean was also a top team for the American Cancer Society at the Making Strides walk at this particular location.
The walk transpired at Johnson Park in Piscataway, NJ where hundreds of people adorned in pink garments gathered together to raise awareness for breast cancer. To begin the event there was an opening ceremony, where participants were able to come together with survivors, caregivers and more to show support for this incredible cause.
Afterward, the walk began. The eager participants gathered around the start line and excitedly counted down from 10 to begin the walk. The walk was not competitive; instead, participants were encouraged to walk together and raise awareness for the great cause.
Many of the participants were walking for someone that they knew who has suffered from breast cancer.
Michelle Arias, a senior here at Kean, said, “I came out to support my grandmother, who I’m glad to say was able to [win] her battle with breast cancer. I hope walks just like this one help raise money and build awareness so that there are more women able to celebrate years of being cancer free like my grandmother.”
She continued, “Everyone was very energetic during the walk, there were even people cheering from the sidelines. It was nice to see such a big group of the Kean community come out to support breast cancer.”
The environment of the walk was considerably open and supportive.
Junior marketing major Jessica Pascale said, “Being at this walk surrounded by so many people that are supporting a great cause such as breast cancer feels very empowering.”
Senior Michelle Arias and Junior Jessica Pascale walking with their peers at the breast cancer walk.
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of Central New Jersey was a wonderful event that brought not only the Kean community together, but also the community of Central Jersey as a whole.
This was a splendid event to wrap up breast cancer awareness month. Together, everyone walked to raise awareness for breast cancer. As a unified mass, Kean students and more took steps in the right direction, one that can ultimately lead to a difference in the community.
