Walk the Cancer Walk

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®: Next year, 2008, marks the 25th anniversary of the Komen Race for the Cure, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. This is a great walk if you’re just starting out; 5K is just 3.1 miles. While 25% of the funds raised through Race for the Cure goes to the national foundation, up to 75% stays right in your local community. Walks are held throughout the spring, summer, and fall, with a National Race for the Cure held in Washington, D.C., in June.

Breast Cancer 3 Day benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, and it’s the mother of all walks. Sixty miles in three days–whew! It’s held in twelve cities around the country, during late summer and early fall. I’ve spoken with women who’ve done it, and they describe is as an incredibly powerful experience. I hope to work my way up to this event–someday!

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is held in nine cities around the country, beginning in April and stretching into October. It’s a two-day event; and while you can walk the distance you choose, most participants walk a marathon (26.2 miles), or a “marathon and a half” (39 miles, the maximum distance). Money raised goes to the Avon Foundation's Breast Cancer Crusade, whose primary focus is assisting the medically underserved population, including minorities, the poor, the elderly, and the under- and uninsured, with a mission to fund access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer.

Y-ME Walk to Empower is held in 12 cities on Mother’s Day each year, with funds supporting Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization’s mission: “to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone.” Featuring a 24-hour breast cancer hotline with interpreters available in 150 languages, Y-ME doesn’t support research; it funds outreach services “for those who can’t wait for tomorrow’s cure.”

Revlon Run/Walk for Women is a 5K (3.1-mile) event funding all women’s cancers, not just breast cancer. Sponsored by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, it’s held each year in May, only in New York City and Los Angeles. Only two cities? Yes, but two BIG cities: since 1993, when it was founded, the Revlon has raised over $40 million for cancer research, counseling, and outreach programs. This year, nearly 100,000 walkers/runners took part. If you’re close to either one of these cities, it’s worth a look.

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer® is Canada’s premier walk. Held during the summer, in seven major cities across the country (from Vancouver to Montreal), it raises money for breast cancer research, treatment and care, with donations going to specific hospitals and cancer foundations in the area where the walk is held. It’s a 60K walk (about 37 miles), stretched over a weekend.

Walk the Walk: Hey, those of you in Great Britain–here’s your walk! Billed as a “power walk marathon” (26.2 miles), Walk the Walk is funky and fun. One variation, MoonWalk, “is the only Power Walking marathon in the world that starts at midnight with thousands of dynamic women and men wearing bras!” Money raised is donated to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, the UK’s leading charity committed to fighting breast cancer through research and education.