Article Contributed on: 5/14/2008 2:45:52 PM
More than 800 walkers and volunteers celebrated their Mother's Day by participating in the Denver Walk to Empower and witnessed the unveiling of the new name and logo of the nation's oldest non-profit breast cancer organization.
While raising more than $100,000, participants celebrated Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization's 30th anniversary at Denver's City Park on Mother's Day. They were among the first to learn of the organization's new name, Breast Cancer Network of Strength.
"Our new name better communicates our mission of ensuring that no one faces breast cancer alone," said Breast Cancer Network of Strength Rocky Mountain Affiliate Executive Director Sheri Clark. "We provide a network of strength through the power of peer support."
The 2008 Walk to Empower took place in Denver's City Park. The Breast Cancer Network of Strength Mother's Day tradition started in Chicago 17 years ago. This year, the Walk to Empower was celebrated in 15 cities nationwide, including Denver. Donations are being accepted until June 20, 2008 online at denverwalk.y-me.org.
The funds raised at the Denver Walk to Empower help Breast Cancer Network of Strength Rocky Mountain Affiliate continue to provide essential programs and services in Colorado today for those who can't wait for tomorrow's cure. The Rocky Mountain Affiliate provides support groups, breast health awareness workshops, Open Door education programs, outreach, wigs and prostheses for women and men with limited resources and advocacy.
In Colorado alone, 2,520 women each year are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and of those, 530 women are expected to die. Nationwide, it is estimated that nearly 185,000 people will be diagnosed and more than 2 million people are currently diagnosed with breast cancer.
"Breast Cancer affects not only the patient, but also those close to them," says Clark. "Even though awareness about the disease has increased, our free-of-charge programs and services are needed now more than ever, and are accessible to anyone who needs us. Let us be your network of strength."
The success of the Denver 2008 Walk to Empower can be attributed to the many sponsoring companies. Local sponsors include Citywide Banks, Kaiser Permanente, Metro Community Provider Network, 9News and 105.5 JACK-FM. National sponsors are: McDonald's, sanofi-aventis, Walgreens, United Airlines, Bumble Bee and Pfizer Oncology.
About Breast Cancer Network of Strength Rocky Mountain Affiliate:
Breast Cancer Network of Strength™, formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization®, provides immediate emotional relief to anyone affected by breast cancer.
YourShoes™ is Breast Cancer Network of Strength's peer support program that includes a 24/7 breast cancer support center staffed by trained breast cancer survivors providing peer support through a toll-free hotline, e-mail and support groups.
The Rocky Mountain Affiliate of Breast Cancer Network of Strength was founded in 2003 to serve women and men in Colorado. It offers support groups for women touched by breast cancer in the Denver Metro, Fort Collins, Boulder and Colorado Springs areas. Last year, more than 2,000 women and their families benefited from local programs and services. The Rocky Mountain Affiliate hopes to expand their services to include other communities throughout Colorado in the coming year.