Church sponsors awareness walk
Published 5:32 pm Friday, October 21, 2011
Christian Chapel Baptist Church will think pink Saturday morning. As part of its health ministry, the group will hold its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and Breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m.
“We’ve done it about five years, at least five years,” event organizer Shatania Isaac said. “We had a really good turnout last year. The very first year we had about 20-25 people. Each year we have greater participation. The very last cancer walk that we had, there was an approximation of over 250 people.”
The event has continued to grow over the years, thanks at least in part to the number of people whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.
“I think those that have been impacted actually contributed more to this event,” Isaac said. “What we’re doing is raising awareness. There is a lot of value in early detection. That is what we’re doing…promoting early detection.”
The theme for this year’s walk is “Making a Difference with Every Step,” a difference Christian Chapel and its Saturday morning marchers are excited to make.
“They absolutely love it. They love the idea of what we are doing. They love that we are raising awareness,” Isaac said. “That’s really why the participation grows from year to year. We’re not the only organization taht recognizes cancer awareness. Together, we’re all trying to do this. It also provides a tremendous sense of self-empowerment and I think everybody buys into that now.”
The group conducts the walk every October as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a period aimed at heightening the awareness of disease and need for early detection in both women and men.
“Please join us as we raise awareness by walking for a cure, are enlightened by a guest speaker on breast cancer and remember those who fought the good fight with a candle light memorial,” the group implores on the fliers it passed out to promote the event.
The walk will initiate from the Demopolis City Schools Board of Education office, where walkers will begin gathering at 7 a.m. for a mile-long hike set to start at 7:30 a.m. The route will see the contingent head north on Cedar Avenue and take a left on East Washington Street before hanging another left on West Glover Street and ending at Christian Chapel Baptist Church.
“Shortly following the walk, we are going to serve breakfast and then we are going to have a memorial,” Isaac said.
“That is recognizing those individuals that are presently fighting or those who have loved ones who are presently fighting and also remembering those who have lost the battle.”