New Orleans 1st Logo

Cancer walk gets going Saturday

Section: Health

Hope Mazzeno

On Saturday, Wanda Roberts and her friends will be in full walking gear as they participate in the American Cancer Society's annual "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer."

A resident of eastern New Orleans, Roberts has been involved in the event for the past six years. A two-time survivor of breast cancer, she is the coordinator of a group called "Sisters in Touch," which offers support to those fighting the disease.

Roberts' team include Katherine Grinstead, June McCarty, Joann Tervalon and Mary Wilson, all breast cancer survivors and Gentilly residents.

"What we like most about this walk is that we survivors lead the event, and that makes us feel honored," McCarty said.

The team will also have family and friends joining in. Tervalon said she "feels the love when family member and friends participate in the walk."

"They were there when we battled this disease and they continue to support us in trying to beat this disease," Tervalon said.

The ninth annual event will be at Audubon Park in New Orleans. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Shelter 10, which is near the golf course entrance to the park on Magazine Street.

The walk begins at 10 a.m. There is no registration fee, but participants are asked to get pledges for participating in the event. Food and refreshments will follow the walk.

More than 2,000 breast cancer survivors and volunteers participated in the event last year, which raised $144,000, according to Jewel Bush of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society.

And nationwide, 450,000 walkers participated in the 2006 event, raising more than $40 million, Bush said.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and the second-leading cancer death in women after lung cancer. This year, more than 180,000 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,910 will die from the disease.

And in Louisiana, nearly 3,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 700 of those women will die from this disease.

"This walk is the perfect way for people to give back to their communities and help save lives at the same time," event manager Justin Clinton said.

For information on Saturday's walk, call the American Cancer Society's office in Old Jefferson at (504) 833-4024.

More Articles