Raising awareness for cancer is taking on a new meaning.
On Saturday, Oct. 18 Philadelphia hosted the Making Strides”breast cancer event. Thousands of people from all over attended this event and Cabrini’s Delta Xi Phi chapter was there to participate.
“This year the walk was a little different, there was a stage with a wonderful opening ceremony, a survivors parade before the walk and a stretching session lead by some cheerleaders from a nearby school,” Veronica Smith, Delta Xi Phi member, said. “Everyone participating was very excited to be supporting the American Cancer Society at the walk.”
Since 1985 October has been deemed breast cancer awareness month, and millions of people across the country have and still continue to participate in events in order to raise awareness of the disease.
In a world in which it is almost impossible to have never been affected by cancer, Delta Xi Phi attended the event with a goal that was less about awareness and had more to do with striving to keep people from becoming bored with the subject.
“It’s sad that something that sad has become normalized,” Dana Millio, Delta Xi Phi member, said.
Delta Xi Phi does not take this lightly and continues to participate in Making Strides, Relay for Life, and a number of other events throughout the year. They look forward to the Making Strides event as a chance to support the philanthropy of their sorority.
“The thing that I really like most about Making Strides is being there and seeing all of these people from all over the area coming together,” Millio said. “They have their own stories and it’s really amazing to see how these people are walking with a purpose.”
“I like seeing the survivors at the breast cancer walk,” Sarah Bedard, Delta Xi Phi member, said. “You’re doing it for them cause they’re the ones that went through it.”
Whether you are a survivor, current patient or a supporter ,everyone at the event was there for the same purpose. It allowed strangers to connect in a special way and share their experiences. With breast cancer being the most common cancer among women in the United States, there are plenty of stories out there waiting to be told.
“Humanizing it and making it something personal, not just showing it’s some terrible illness, is the aspect of [the walk] that needs to be addressed more so than just wearing pink,” Millio said.
Making Strides helps to keep people involved with more than just fighting breast cancer. It allows friends and family members affected by the disease to work on something together.
“The walk is also special to the sisters of Delta Xi Phi because we get to spend a few hours just talking with each other while we walk,” Smith said. “We share funny stories and tell jokes or talk about classes and our families.”
