Making Strides Car Parade at Lake Julian on Oct. 17th to Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and even in these uncertain times, the American Cancer Society (ACS) is still attacking cancer from every angle.

Join the community for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event on Saturday, Oct. 17. This will be a “Pink Ride For Strides” – a drive through celebration at Lake Julian Park from 10 am to 12 pm.

There will be giveaways, survivor gifts, music, a car decorating competition, pumpkins for sale, and much more. It is free to attend, and donations to support our mission are encouraged. Sponsors dedicated to our pink cause include Sunshine Chevy, White Labs/Beer For Boobs, Myriad, WLOS-TV, and Mix 96.5.

To learn more and register, visit makingstrideswalk.org/ashevillenc.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement raises awareness and funds to end breast cancer and ensures no one faces this disease alone. Since 1993, more than 16 million supporters have raised well over $990 million nationwide. Nationally, ACS has $67 million invested in 162 breast cancer research grants, including 31 active grants totaling $12.5 million in North Carolina.

According to the American Cancer Society, never before in the organization’s 107-year history has the mission been at risk like it is now. Postponed events and a huge decline in charitable donations have led to a revenue shortfall no one could have predicted. In fact, if current trends continue, ACS will have to reduce funding of cancer research by 50% – the lowest investment this century. It could set back cancer research an entire generation; additionally, the bright young researchers whose findings could help the American Cancer Society find cures will look to other fields of work.

“At risk are better treatment options and research discoveries that will improve and save lives,” says Megan Nelson, Executive Director for Western North Carolina and South Carolina. “It’s true that COVID-19 has caused us to suspend some of traditional events, however there are PLENTY of things we ARE doing in the Asheville area to make strides against breast cancer. This year, we have had to do what we affectionately call, the pandemic pivot.”

WNC Wears Pink

The WNC Wears Pink campaign is off to a great start. Each year in October, community leaders are invited to become WNC Wears Pink candidates. These candidates unite to fight breast cancer with the American Cancer Society through competitive fundraising, wearing pink every day for the entire month and helping bring awareness to breast cancer through telling their stories.

So far, the candidates have raised over $4,000 toward their collective $25,000 goal. This year’s campaign features 10 community and corporate leaders from Western North Carolina: