Making Strides Walkathon - Together We Can Help Fund the Future of Breast Cancer Research

Presented by Seminole Hard Rock, the event took place on a crisp, drizzly morning at the Amerant Bank Arena, home of the 2023 Stanley Cup champion ice hockey team, the Florida Panthers. The event ran concurrently with the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk in Hialeah, Florida, according to CBS News Miami where more than 6,000 people attended. The goal for fundraising was to raise $1,000,000 and $700,000, respectively. To date, more than $500,000 was raised in Hialeah, Florida.
Making Strides began shortly after 8 a.m. with a vibrant rendition of our National Anthem sung by a local music sensation.” Whereby many in the audience held their hands over their hearts. The emcees were Channel Seven’s Meteorologist Vivian Gonzales and Hard Rock Classic Casino General Manager Edward Aguilar who thanked all participants and organizers as well as supplied facts pertaining to Breast Cancer.
Representatives from the medical field included The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Miller Branch at University of Miami, the Cleveland Clinic and Hollywood Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Aguilar took to the microphone, “Together, while we have no cure yet, we have a lot of hope, and we have an unconquered spirit to continue the fight with you. Today would not be possible without all the help of the volunteers today and all the amazing organizations.”
Here are pertinent facts: About 42,000 women in the United States die each year of Breast Cancer. It affects one in eight U.S. women. It’s estimated that more than 160,000 cases of Cancer are diagnosed in Florida alone, and that Breast Cancer is the number one form of Cancer of Native Americans, according to Mr. Aguilar.
It is estimated that more than 23,000 in Florida alone will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer this year, of which 3,000 will die.
Breast Cancer is rare in men, accounting for about 1% of all Breast Cancer diagnoses. In the United States, about 2,650 men are diagnosed with Breast Cancer each year. Breast Cancer deaths have declined 40% in the past few decades.
2024 marks the 26th Annual Walkathon in Broward County, this year's Making Strides of Broward County was presented by: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood, Seminole Classic Casino, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, along with other sponsors. This is the 12th year Seminole Hard Rock has participated in the Broward Making Strides event. On this 2024 walk they presented a grandiose check—literally, a four-foot-long check--on stage for a grand sum, $100,000. Hard Rock venues present were Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Seminole Classic Casino, and Coconut Creek Seminole Casino.
Several companies and teams were thanked for generous donations. Teams that raise $2,500 or more, collectively, become members of the Pacesetters Team Club. Individuals who raise $1,000 or more are Grand Club members.
"We Believe that no people should have to fight Breast Cancer alone." -- American Cancer Society
The Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said, “Today is a day of fight, of commemorating the survivors and is also a day of thanks,” adding that his wife is a Cancer survivor. He extended a thank you to doctors, nurses, caregivers, family members and “to survivors for inspiring us.” Mr. Zito sashayed a bit, modeling a custom-made jersey which is to be auctioned off to raise funds for ACS.

Three top doctors via a news bulletin illuminate us as to Breast Cancer:

Susan Kesmodel, M.D., of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center noted,
“We are seeing a de-escalation of surgery for Breast Cancer. In many women with early-stage Breast Cancer, mastectomy is not necessary. She added:

• Surgeons increasingly look for options besides Mastectomy for Breast Cancer.
• Breast Cancer surgery is not one-size-fits-all but is increasingly tailored to the patient based on extent of the disease and tumor characteristics.
• Cosmetic surgery has improved dramatically. Women can now receive Breast Reconstruction during Cancer surgery with Lumpectomy (removal of Breast Tissue) or Mastectomy (removal of entire Breast(s).

--Susan Kesmodel, M.D., is Director of Breast Surgery Oncology at Sylvester and co-leader of the Breast Site Disease Group.

Mentioned Jose M. Net, M.D., “Routine Mammographic Screening is the best way to minimize your chance of dying of Breast Cancer. Early detection can help find tumors that are smaller, haven’t spread outside the breast and are easier to treat.” He added:

• Patients need to know their breast density, one indicator of increased Cancer risk. The FDA now requires that patients receive this information. Sylvester has provided it for 13 years.

--Dr. Jose Net is the Vice Chair of Clinical Operations and Director of Division of Breast Imaging at Sylvester.

Lluis Morey, Ph.D., member of Sylvester’s Epigenetics Program and Associate Professor at the Human Genetics Department at University of Miami noted:

• Of a handful of Breast Cancer variants, most are not aggressive and have a 90% survival rate due to treatment. Early detection is key.
• Understanding stem cells is important because if you identify and kill them, you might stop a tumor from growing.
• Breast Cancer deaths have declined 40% in the past decade, but a mortality gap persists between Black and White women - a priority for Sylvester in highly diverse South Florida.
• Sylvester performs 31,000 Mammograms annually.

At Making Strides, a pink air-filled oversized chair provided a happy repast as kids of all ages bounced, flounced and even jounced—yes, that’s a word! —on it. Many attendees tacked messages onto a display to honor loved ones affected by Cancer. Music of the day was provided by four gentlemen who makeup - their name well suits the day — The Cure.
Public Relations Personnel Amanda Jackson and Kimberly Pierce cheerfully filled us in as to Hard Rock involvement. For instance, did you know that Hard Rock has raised over $12 million for Breast Cancer Research since the start of its PINKTOBER campaign. In 2023 alone, Hard Rock raised $1.3 Million for Breast Cancer Research.

• Has cafes that offer a tempting hamburger on a pink bun infused with (yes, really!) beet juice. They say it’s healthy. “A burger with a cause.”
• Has “change for change,” whereby one can donate a portion of winnings from the casino to ACS and other charities.
• Is donating 25 “all-inclusive” stays at their hotel to Breast Cancer survivors, thrivers and caregivers.
• Offers a pink record of Inspirational songs from “all around the world.” It can be purchased for about $35. All proceeds go to ACS.
• Has pink guitars which can be checked out.
• Made their mantra, “Stronger together.”

Amanda Jackson is Vice-President of Global Field Marketing for Hard Rock Hotels. Kimberly Pierce is Director of Community Affairs for Global Field Marketing.
Though not officially permitted at Making Strides, many of our four-legged friends tagged along with their owners. These included “Osita,” a Brown Husky; Luca, an Australian Shepherd; and Lagertha, looks like a bulldog—ages 4 years, 18 months and 1.5 years, respectively. This reporter walked in memory of his beloved kind, loving, irreplaceable doggie, Daisy, who joined him for about seven Walk-a-thons for Charity.
I would like to thank ACS Senior Development Manager Jessica Kramer for these kind words: “I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved Siberian Husky, Daisy. It’s wonderful that you plan to honor her spirit during the upcoming walk.” Indeed, my canine friend was missed by many.

Volunteer comments:
“Proud to be part of the ACS Making Strides. We look forward to many more years. --Sara Gaitan and Evelyn Valdes—Dade County Federal Credit Union
“Very nice event with a lot of great people.” --L. Bell, Sunrise Police Department.
“We work in support of those we lost to Cancer and hope to find a cure.” --Lorena Bonilla Valle-- mother of Making Strides Coordinator Angelic Mercer and General Manager for Equipment Share Miami.
“Volunteer drivers like Kamina drive patients to and from treatment. Join today.” -- Spokeswoman from Road to Recovery Program
“This is our 12th year supporting the ACS Making Strides. Every year continues to get better as we hunt for a cure.” -- Member of Seminole Indian Tribe and General Manager of Seminole Classic Casino, Edward Aguilar
“Over 10-plus years I’ve been supporting the movement, and it keeps getting bigger and better. Making Strides is such a huge movement in the fight to end Breast Cancer. I’m incredibly blessed and look forward to being a part of it.” --WSVN Meteorologist Vivian Gonzales.
By the way, best wishes to Vivian who is expecting her baby to be delivered soon at Hollywood Memorial Hospital.
“So many people’s lives have been touched by Cancer. On the positive side, so many people pour their hearts into empathizing with and helping those in need. This is true regarding Breast Cancer and other diseases, as well as for natural disasters such as hurricanes. It’s a wakeup call to remind us how precious life is. –Ira Liebowitz
Leading up to the walk, Memorial Healthcare System presented a Men Wear Pink fashion show at the Hard Rock on August 29. Robert Soto, a speaker there noted, “We’re attending this event in celebration of our son, Kyle Soto and the Cancer survivors everywhere. Kyle is a Lymphoma survivor, and it became obvious that we need more funding and research for Cancer. You can follow Kyle at Kyle Soto Underwater Photography on Instagram.”
I wish to thank Steve Maugeri of the CBS News Miami Team, and University of Miami Miller School of Medicine for taking time to send me information for the event. Also, thanks to Angelic Mercer, Jessica Kramer, Senior Development Manager and ACS staff partner, and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Global Public Relations for input to this article.
Also, thanks to Cat and the Sun Times staff, Craig Farquhar and Cecile Hiles for all their help.
Florda Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz attended the event and was a part of the official ribbon cutting to start the walk. As of October 22, $945,000 has been raised for Making Strides. Donations to the More than Pink Walk presently totaled $500,000 as of October 22.

Reasons You Should Make Time For a Mammogram:
• Breast Cancer Affects 1 in 8 American Woman
• Regular Mammograms increase your breast cancer survival rate by 30%
• A mammogram takes 30 minutes
• Self-Exams aren't enough - Mammograms can detect a lump 2 years before you can feel one
• More than 40,000 woman lose their lives to breast cancer annually
• It's the #1 most common cancer in women

Donations can be made online at: www.makingstrideswalk.org/browardfl, donations for the walk are accepted through December 20. You can also, donate via “snail mail”: Make your check to: American Cancer Society, noting MSAB Broward American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Broward EBK2K6 Post Office Box#: 17127 Tampa, Florida 33682.

• $10 connects a survivor to resources through the Cancer Survivor's Network.
• $50 provides a night of free lodging for a patient receiving treatment far from home.
• $100 covers transportation to treatment for someone without access.

For more information, visit: www.makingstrideswalk.org/browardfl

To see photos from the event, visit:

https://issuu.com/suntimesnewspaper/docs/sun_times_11.07.24_webst/9?fr=sZmFlNDc5NDY1MzI

https://issuu.com/suntimesnewspaper/docs/sun_times_11.07.24_webst/12?fr=sN2QyNjc5NDY1MzM