Breast cancer survivors and their supporters took their cause to the streets Sunday.
They were participants in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a 5-kilometer walk in downtown Akron that raised more than $200,000, the American Cancer Society reported.
The event, which started and ended at Canal Park, drew more than 5,000 participants, the society said. It raised money for research and breast health programs while also honoring survivors and educating people about early detection and prevention.
For Alexandra Houser Vukoder, one of the highlights was the release of pink balloons with messages attached, which represented messages being sent to loved ones in heaven.
"It's definitely symbolic and emotional," said Vukoder, a spokeswoman for the cancer society.
Cancer survivor Lee Runkle of Akron has participated in the fundraiser every year since 2004, the year after her diagnosis.
This year's walk was especially meaningful, she said afterward.
For one thing, she walked with fellow members of the Dragon Dream Team, a group of dragon boat racers who are all breast cancer survivors and use the sport to raise awareness of the disease.
For another, her friend and co-worker Rebecca Shepard was at the event, selling copies of her book, Joy Comes in the Morning: A Mother and Daughter's Cancer Journey.
"I just feel like I have all these sisters that I didn't have before I became a member of the team," said Runkle, who was trying to recruit racers at the event.
But she also wanted to do her part to shine a spotlight on the breast cancer battle.
"The more we can make people aware of breast cancer, it's just a good thing," she said. To see more of the Akron Beacon Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.ohio.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio