Morris County Rallies Together for Breast Cancer Awareness

Morris County Rallies Together for Breast Cancer Awareness

Erin Rubright

In commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Morris County will come together on Sunday, October 16, to hold an American Cancer Society sponsored event. Local businesses, residents, and even high school sports teams participate in the 5K annually.

At West Morris Central, the field hockey and volleyball teams spend a day walking, dancing, and celebrating the lives of cancer survivors and remembering ones who have passed.  

“It brings us closer together as a team and we make a lot of memories while supporting a very good cause.” said Sarah Perkalis, a junior member of the field hockey team.

The team has special pink shirts made that they wear during the walk each year and, along with the volleyball team, wear any other pink gear they own. Even some parents join in the event by driving girls there, bringing hot chocolate and snacks for beforehand, or even walking in the event themselves.

Before the walk there is a small presentation by the American Cancer Society representative at the event. Survivors can then tell stories of their experiences and talk about what Making Strides means to them. The walk ends under a big sign and pink balloon arch, adding to the celebration that comes along with participating in the Making Strides walk.

With over 2,000 participants in the Making Strides of Parsippany 5K, already $205,659.24 have been raised and the number continues to grow as they celebrate the 20th anniversary of the event. The atmosphere of people coming together for Making Strides of Parsippany gives hope and joy to survivors at the walk, families impacted by cancer, and participants of the walk like the West Morris Central students.

Up until the day of the event, anyone can sign up as an individual or join a team for the event. Go to the American Cancer society website, find an event, and sign up to represent West Morris!

 

picture credit: Heather Shiembob