Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation. This year, EYEcenter decided to join the Sacramento event from Making Strides: a 3-mile walk down Capitol Mall, across the Tower Bridge and past Raley Field to the gateway, and back.
Part of EYEcenter culture is giving back. It was important to us to participate in fundraising and awareness campaigns during breast cancer awareness month. We recruited for the Making Strides walk and hosted numerous campaigns throughout October to raise support for our team. We were excited to take part in the event, but at first weren’t sure how to best go about raising funds for awareness. However as it turned out, that wasn’t a problem! Our amazing families, friends and patients heard about our efforts through social media, and helped us raise over $1100 for the cause before the day of the event. As a result, that morning we were on cloud nine!
We gathered bright and early and enjoyed some team bonding before the opening ceremonies at 7:45 am. The turnout was amazing--over 20,000 people were gathered outside the California Capitol Steps; survivors, family members, community leaders, local businesses and caregivers, even pink dogs were spotted supporting the cause. There was music, amazing energy and, of course, lots of pink.
As we took our first steps onto Capitol Mall to begin the walk and the sun was rising over the buildings of downtown Sacramento, the Tower Bridge glowed golden straight ahead of us. It’s literal purpose is to link Sacramento and Yolo counties, but we couldn’t help but think of the Tower that morning as a beautiful symbol of the bridge EYEcenter had now created to this cause and it’s community of supporters.
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk was a powerful and inspiring opportunity to unite as a community to honor breast cancer survivors, and raise awareness about steps we can take to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. EYEcenter was so proud and honored to be a part of it! We look forward to many more years of participation.
