  |
| |
Making Strides volunteers set a record
January 20, 2005 Members of the United Federation of Teachers, and their young supporters, stretch before walking at the Bronx's Orchard Beach in October. With NYSUT volunteers leading the way, 139,000 New Yorkers walked last October to raise money for the breast cancer cause. New York State United Teachers members raised $641,966, an 18 percent increase over the previous year. Some 6,499 NYSUT members donned sneakers and sweatshirts to hit the pavement. "We're proud that so many members participated, either walking or donating money for this great cause," said NYSUT President Tom Hobart. "It's always gratifying and a source of inspiration to march alongside cancer survivors." NYSUT has for years been a flagship sponsor of the Making Strides for Breast Cancer walks of the American Cancer Society. It has been a unionwide effort coordinated by former Vice President Antonia Cortese (now the executive vice president of NYSUT's national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers). Cortese in October marched through Albany 's Washington Park with a sign, "I am walking for SANDY " — a tribute to retired AFT President Sandra Feldman and her struggle with cancer. Second Vice President Maria Neira now coordinates the NYSUT effort. All the volunteers in the state raised more than $10.3 million — a 17 percent increase over 2003. "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a chance to celebrate survivorship," said Donald Distasio of the ACS's Eastern Division. "These women are heroes. They are our mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, teachers and friends ... They remind us all of a very important message: early detection is so important." More than $5 million has been spent on breast cancer research just in New York and New Jersey, ACS reports. Circle these dates for 2005: Oct. 2 for Buffalo and Binghamton , and Oct. 16 for Albany, Utica, Syracuse, Hudson Valley, Rochester, Manhattan, Long Island, Queens, Westchester, Brooklyn, Bronx and Staten Island, when walkers will again hit the pavement. Making Strides raises money for research, education, advocacy and services for cancer patients and their families. |
| |
| | ||
