Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
The annual 'Making Strides' walk at Jones Beach broke last year's record in attendance, police say. WANTAGH, NY – The annual American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Jones Beach raised $2.45 million for cancer research on Sunday. Now in its 32nd year, the Making Strides walk at Jones Beach brought in more than 80,000 participants, breaking last year’s record, according to Jones Beach police. Among those walking this year was Stacy Brennan, founder of Stacy’s Warriors. She first started walking in Making Strides actively in 2015. She has been fighting cancer for almost two decades — diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007, metastatic to the bone in 2012, and then to the liver in 2019. Brennan said she is alive today because of cancer research and her team supporting her along the way. “I attribute my being here for the past 18 years, fighting this disease, to research,” she said. “Research is life to people like me, and that's what the American Cancer Society does for us. When one chapter closes, as my oncologist says, another one opens, and that’s what the money does. I am so incredibly grateful to the American Cancer Society.” Stacy’s Warriors has been walking in the Making Strides event for years, and Brennan said she appreciates her support team. “I am so grateful for all of my friends and family,” Brennan said. “I feel very blessed and thankful for them. Jimmy, my husband, is my knight in shining armor.” Natale Raimo, executive director of Long Island ACS, said it was remarkable to see tens of thousands of people come out to support the cause and ACS. “I’ve never seen such a huge sea of pink before,” Raimo said. “Seeing the community rally around our loved ones like that is beautiful. It is very emotional because you realize how many people are touched by breast cancer, and that you’re not alone in this.” Raimo said she walks for those who lost their battle, as well as for the survivors. “We lost our friend and neighbor in 2021, who was battling breast cancer, so it’s personal to me,” Raimo said. “My former boss is a breast cancer survivor. We walk to honor the people we love and keep our loved ones’ memories alive. Their legacy lives on when we walk.” Raimo said she wants the community to know that the ACS has resources and services available for anyone who has questions, as well as a phone line that’s open 24/7. Every year, the ACS is able to make more progress, Raimo said, with better screenings and treatments. She also encourages everyone to get screened: “Early detection saves lives.” Raimo said she wants people to turn awareness into action and get involved in any way they can. “There have been so many strides in the treatment, in the screenings, and in the technology, but we still have a ways to go,” Raimo said. “We want to end cancer as we know it for everyone.” The Making Strides at Jones Beach was one of 46 walks that occurred across the nation on Super Strides Sunday.
