SUNY IT Hosts Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: October 19, 2012
The leaves are changing to red and orange. But some community members are thinking pink.
October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness month. SUNY IT held its 7th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk this afternoon and some participants say they're walking for a world without breast cancer.
"Am I going to die, am I going to make it, what will happen to me?" says Lynne Browne, breast cancer survivor and SUNY IT Breast Cancer Walk Captain.
"Not knowing other people that had been in my position, i instantly felt that my life would come to an end," says Laurie Hartman, breast cancer survivor and SUNY IT Breast Cancer Walk participant.
Lynne and Laurie are both breast cancer survivors. They say they'll never forget the day they were diagnosed.
"The day I found out was very difficult, it was my husband's birthday," says Hartman.
"I was angry. I gave myself a little time to feel sad about it but then I decided I needed to do something about it so I became proactive," says Browne.
And no matter gender or age, breast cancer hits close to home to many community members.
"I thought I would have to start counting down the days with her," says Abdullah Megid, SUNY IT student and Breast Cancer Walk participant.
"About 2 years ago I lost my favorite aunt to breast cancer. She had beaten it and it just came back and she couldn't beat it anymore," says Joe Szepessy, SUNY IT student and Breast Cancer Walk participant.
Lynne is now the captain of the SUNY IT Walk and she says it's crucial to raise awareness among the younger generation.
"Maybe they're not affected right now, but maybe an aunt, or mother, or grandmother is, so they really need to understand what they're going through," says Browne.
"It can happen to you and if you wait to long, it could be to late so you need to do you self examinations, go to doctor, you need to do these things," says Veronica Metz, SUNY IT student and Breast Cancer Walk participant.
And not even the rainy weather could keep these runners away; they say spreading awareness is far greater than some rain drops.
"More people that know about it, the more people that are willing to donate, and the more we can get the word out there," says Szepessy.
"It's events like these that bring the outpouring of the community in support of each other, as well as in support of the area, and disease," says Hartman.
"When it comes down to, you gotta step, and we all gotta unite, it's not just a girls fight or a guys fight, its everyone's fight," says Megid.
Nearly 200 people came out to the SUNY IT walk this afternoon. And this Sunday, hundreds of area breast cancer survivors, volunteers, and community members will come together at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at the Masonic Care Community in Utica. Registration starts at 9am and the walk begins at 10am.
October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness month. SUNY IT held its 7th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk this afternoon and some participants say they're walking for a world without breast cancer.
"Am I going to die, am I going to make it, what will happen to me?" says Lynne Browne, breast cancer survivor and SUNY IT Breast Cancer Walk Captain.
"Not knowing other people that had been in my position, i instantly felt that my life would come to an end," says Laurie Hartman, breast cancer survivor and SUNY IT Breast Cancer Walk participant.
Lynne and Laurie are both breast cancer survivors. They say they'll never forget the day they were diagnosed.
"The day I found out was very difficult, it was my husband's birthday," says Hartman.
"I was angry. I gave myself a little time to feel sad about it but then I decided I needed to do something about it so I became proactive," says Browne.
And no matter gender or age, breast cancer hits close to home to many community members.
"I thought I would have to start counting down the days with her," says Abdullah Megid, SUNY IT student and Breast Cancer Walk participant.
"About 2 years ago I lost my favorite aunt to breast cancer. She had beaten it and it just came back and she couldn't beat it anymore," says Joe Szepessy, SUNY IT student and Breast Cancer Walk participant.
Lynne is now the captain of the SUNY IT Walk and she says it's crucial to raise awareness among the younger generation.
"Maybe they're not affected right now, but maybe an aunt, or mother, or grandmother is, so they really need to understand what they're going through," says Browne.
"It can happen to you and if you wait to long, it could be to late so you need to do you self examinations, go to doctor, you need to do these things," says Veronica Metz, SUNY IT student and Breast Cancer Walk participant.
And not even the rainy weather could keep these runners away; they say spreading awareness is far greater than some rain drops.
"More people that know about it, the more people that are willing to donate, and the more we can get the word out there," says Szepessy.
"It's events like these that bring the outpouring of the community in support of each other, as well as in support of the area, and disease," says Hartman.
"When it comes down to, you gotta step, and we all gotta unite, it's not just a girls fight or a guys fight, its everyone's fight," says Megid.
Nearly 200 people came out to the SUNY IT walk this afternoon. And this Sunday, hundreds of area breast cancer survivors, volunteers, and community members will come together at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at the Masonic Care Community in Utica. Registration starts at 9am and the walk begins at 10am.
