Support Connection Gears Up for Annual Walk

Support Connection is gearing up for its 17th Annual Support-A-Walk for Breast and Ovarian Cancer event, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2 at F.D.R. State Park in Yorktown Heights.

Barbara Cervoni, Director of Services and Communication, said the event is their most important one, and gives them the opportunity to share their message and mission with thousands of people, including those who attend and those who read about it.

"It’s also significant because it’s an opportunity for people in the community to come together, to celebrate life, to remember those lost, and to support one another," she said. 

For co-founders Nancy Heller and Richard Adamski, who created Support-A-Walk and are still involved with it today, the event really hits home. They were both personally touched by cancer. Heller is a 25-year breast cancer survivor, and Adamski lost his wife to the disease. 

In addition, the founding Executive Director Katherine Quinn, who still leads the organization, became involved in the 1st Walk after losing her closest friend to breast cancer. And many of the people who help with the Support-A-Walk – volunteers, sponsors, walkers, donors – have been impacted in some way by breast or ovarian cancer, Cervoni said.

The non-for-profit organization was founded as a way to increase awareness about breast and ovarian cancer. In 2010, more than 9,000 people from across the Hudson Valley participated in this inspiring and uplifting community event.

"Each year when I see the paths at FDR Park overflowing with people, it just blows me away," Cervoni said. "It really brings it home how many people are affected by these diseases."

Proceeds from the Support-A-Walk will help fund Support Connection’s free, confidential services and programs for people affected by breast and ovarian cancer.

Participants complete a 3-mile walk, often in honor of loved ones – a celebration of life and a tribute to those who are affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Families, friends, co-workers and teams of walkers are invited to walk together. Individuals are also welcome to participate.

Honorary Chairpersons for the Support-A-Walk are Kacey Morabito Grean of 100.7 WHUD Radio’s “Mike and Kacey in the Morning,” and Matt Sampson of News12 Westchester, who leads the way for the Walk’s “Not For Women Only” campaign which encourages men of all ages to become involved in the Walk, to salute and support the courageous women in their lives.

Students are welcome to become involved in the “Students for Support Connection” campaign, which enables students of all ages to volunteer and raise funds. This “campaign” was created a few years ago by a couple of college interns who were working with the organization for the summer.

"We have a great deal of support from students throughout the year – individuals as well as student groups like the Leo Club – and many of them are interested in helping with the Support-A-Walk," Cervoni said. 

Any students who would like to volunteer or raise funds can contact Support Connection. On the day of the Walk, there will be students of all ages helping with setup, cleanup, refreshments, musical entertainment, kids activities like face painting, and more. There are also student groups who form Walk teams and raise money together. 

Last year, the event raised about $240,000, and organizers said they hope to raise $250,000 this year. Cervoni said she encourages people to donate and fundraise now, rather than waiting until the day of the Walk.

"Every dollar raised makes a huge difference," Cervoni said. "The Walk is our most important fundraising event of the year, and is key to our ability to continue offering our free, confidential programs and services."

Close to 90 percent of all donations they receive are applied directly to their programs, she said.

"Each year we help hundreds of women and others affected by breast and ovarian cancer," Cervoni said. "We couldn’t do this without our donors."

Messages of support, celebration or commemoration can be displayed on along the Walk path by purchasing Tribute Signs for $50 each. On the Tribute Signs people put a message and the sign is displayed along the Walk path. 

Supporters can raise money by creating personal web pages asking friends and family for donations here. Even those who can’t attend the Support-A-Walk can participate. Online donations can be made at www.supportconnection.org. 

For photos and to read more about last year's event, .

To learn more about the Support-A-Walk, or to register or donate, call 914-962-6402 or visit www.supportconnection.org.