RICHMOND, Va. -- This weekend hundreds of people from across Central Virginia will be hitting the pavement in an effort to save lives at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk Sunday at Henrico's Libbie Mill Midtown.
More than 290,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, according to the American Cancer Society. Tragically, more than 43,000 of them will likely die from the disease this year alone.
Apart from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer impacting women, according to the advocacy organization. In fact, a woman's average risk of developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%, which is a one in eight chance. And about one out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. is found in a man.
But there is some good news breast cancer death rates have decreased and overall 43% since 1989. And even better news the American Cancer Society says right now there are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
Local News
Hundreds take part in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Libbie Mill
We'd love for you to join CBS 6 in the fight against breast cancer at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. WTVR CBS 6 anchor Reba Hollingsworth will host the event, which will kick off at noon with a one-mile walk. You can join TeamReba here.
The annual event raises money for the American Cancer Society fund breast cancer research and provide services like free rides to chemo, free places to stay near treatment and a live 24/7 cancer helpline.
Last year's event raised more than $200,000 with more than 100 teams participating. This year's event has already beat the number of teams with more than 200 teams already registered. This year's fundraising goal is $275,000.
Click here for more information or to make a donation to the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
Women with breast cancer needed a voice in Virginia. These women stepped up.
After doctors diagnosed them with breast cancer, Mary Jo Ellis Kahn and Patti Goodall became two of the driving forces behind and founding members of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation.
"My mother got it when she was 39 and died at 47," Kahn told Reba Hollingsworth.
Kahn was diagnosed at age 39. Doctors diagnosed Goodall at age 42.
"I was diagnosed when my youngest was about two and a half," Goodall said.
Their breast cancer journeys collided at a support group at what was then called the Medical College of Virginia. Read more.
Virginia breast cancer survivor's message to others: 'Get all your checkups'
Juanita Tee, a 64-year-old breast cancer survivor, is helping to organize Amelia's Making Strides Walk Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the Grange on Richmond Road. Her team is "Lifting the Way."
Juanita was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago but says she never once doubted her recovery.
"I knew I was going to ring that bell," she told Caroline Coleburn.
In 2014, Juanita got the good news that she was cancer-free.
She now emphasizes how important it is for women to get their annual check-ups, especially those living in rural areas. Read more.
Local News
Former wrestler helps her community fight breast cancer through free workouts
Former wrestler helps community fight breast cancer through free workouts
In a small corner of our community, there’s a gym that goes hard. You won’t find an easy work out there. You will find a trainer who is pushing hard; using tough love, loud commands, and upbeat music to push your muscles to the ultimate limit.
Ten years ago, Erica Porter, a former WOW Women of Wrestling Superhero World Champion opened the doors to Endorphasm gym in Midlothian, Virginia, because she lives for the high, which she calls “E Strong." It's something she aims to make you feel too.
Endorphasm is the moment during movement that you feel all things are possible and when you're able to connect to that feeling, and it changes us as humans. And that is Endorphasm strong,” Porter told GeNienne Samuels. Read more.
3 simple exercises that can help you fight cancer
Research has found exercise can help reduce the mortality rate in cancer patients. A study out of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New Yorkinvolving 11,480 survivors indicated that exercise consistent with the national guidelines was associated with a 25% reduced risk of all causes of death compared to no exercise. There was evidence of a significant reduction in cancer mortality. Read more.
Former Miss Virginia says after breast cancer battle: 'God’s not done with me yet'
Heather Van Cleave, who became Miss Virginia for America in 2021, was the healthiest she had ever been in her life when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Growing up in a theater family, the stage was a familiar place for Van Cleave, but it was not until later in life that she found her passion and purpose.
Van Cleave has been telling her a part of her story for years around the world.
“Being a survivor of domestic violence, I really wanted people to have a voice and not feel shamed from it,” Van Cleave told Reba Hollingsworth.
But a new chapter in Van Cleave's story came unexpectedly last year when she said she knew something didn't feel right during a fitness competition. Read more.
A 'Little Bag of Hope' is providing VCU breast cancer patients with inspiration
When new breast cancer patients walk through the doors of VCU Health's Breast Imaging department, Sarah Saunders knows what they must be feeling.
"It's terrifying. Every patient that comes into this office is terrified," said Saunders, who was diagnosed with and beat breast cancer several years ago.
After that journey, Saunders, a nurse, switched from the field of pediatrics to breast cancer and is the department's nurse navigator.
"It's just nice to be able to connect with patients on a different level because I've been in their shoes," Saunders told Cameron Thompson. "I know how scary it is to get the biopsy done to wait for results." Read more.
Do you know about a good news story happening in your community? Click here to email WTVR.com and the CBS 6 News team.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every day CBS 6 is giving a voice to the stories happening in your community. If you have a story idea, email our team at NewsTips@wtvr.com or click here to submit a tip.
