The Miramar University Alumni Association of the East Coast organized a “Pink October Breast Cancer Awareness” walk in Manhattan’s Central Park on the 20th, commemorating friends and family lost to breast cancer and showing support for survivors. This year, the association became a member of the American Cancer Society and marked this event as their first anti-breast cancer campaign in a decade, with over 20 alumni and their families participating.
Penny Peng, the president of the alumni association, emphasized the significant threat breast cancer poses to women’s health, as several members of the association and their loved ones have battled the disease. She hopes this event will raise awareness about breast cancer prevention. Prior to the walk, the association also held a fundraising event, successfully raising $1,200 to donate to the American Cancer Society. She expressed her delight at the positive response, noting, “The turnout was better than we expected.” The route for the walk circled Central Park, and on the event day, the weather was clear and sunny, allowing alumni to enjoy a lighthearted and joyful atmosphere.
Among the participants were several breast cancer survivors. One of them, 79-year-old Ms. Jiang, was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, her positive outlook has helped her maintain good physical and mental health throughout her journey.
Ms. Jiang shared her motivation for participating in the walk: “I want to remind everyone about the importance of breast cancer prevention. Breast cancer can occur without any symptoms, so regular check-ups are crucial.” She recounted her own experience of identifying a lump in her armpit, which led to her diagnosis after two mammograms. “If you notice something wrong, don’t take it lightly,” she advised. Ms. Jiang also believes a positive mindset is essential for recovery; when she first received her diagnosis, she said, “I was stunned. I asked my doctor what I should do, and he told me, ‘Just keep moving forward.'”
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, over 360,000 individuals are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. However, if detected in the earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer can reach 99%. Readers can learn effective self-examination techniques to help prevent breast cancer by visiting https://shorturl.at/Im1bp.
