OCALA — The American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” will join with the community of Ocala in a non-competitive 5K walk to celebrate survivors and bring awareness to the cause.<\/p>\n
The goal of the walk is to unite communities to lead the fight against breast cancer. It is the largest network of cancer fundraising and awareness events in the nation.<\/p>\n
In the months leading up to the event, teams work together to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer initiatives.<\/p>\n
Beth Williams, a local nurse practitioner for the Hospice of Marion County, says “I am walking for continued research, I am walking in honor of those who are currently battling the disease, I am walking in memory of those brave women who lost their battle, and I am walking for every woman who will face this disease in the future.”<\/p>\n
She went on to say that, although strides have been made towards a diagnosis, what frightens her is that she falls in a category of women over 40 who are at greater risk of developing the disease.<\/p>\n
According to the American Cancer Society, there is a 1 in 8 chance a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.<\/p>\n
The event takes place on Saturday, October 13,\u00a0from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 2601 SE Fort King Street in Ocala.<\/p>\n
Commencement will be an opening ceremony with the walk beginning at 9 a.m.<\/p>\n
Participants are encouraged to sign up online at www.makingstrideswalk.org\/OcalaFL<\/a> prior to the walk to make check-in easier on the day of the event.<\/p>\n Making Strides of Ocala advises that all participants must register for the walk, including children.