Support for regional cancer event helps to keep the fight going

On behalf of the American Cancer Society, I would like to thank the residents of Monmouth and Ocean counties for their generosity and support.

Approximately 6,200 walkers and hundreds of volunteers participated in this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in Point Pleasant Beach, raising a record-breaking $810,000 for the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services programs.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a chance to celebrate survivorship, and I want to applaud the many survivors who led the way. These women — and men — are heroes. They are our mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, wives, husbands and friends.

They are the reason we continue the fight, and they remind us all of a very important message: early detection of breast cancer saves lives.

A special thanks to all the volunteers who worked to make this event a success and kept the walkers safe. We would not have been able to do it without you.

We also appreciate the generosity of this year’s flagship sponsors — Pathmark, U.S. Home, Clayton Block Co. Inc., CAPRI Institute, ABC-7, 94.3 The Point, Soft Rock 92.7 WOBM and 1160 WOBM-AM — for their contributions and participation in this year’s walk.

Again, thank you for supporting the American Cancer Society, and remember that your American Cancer Society is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any cancer-related question. Contact your local American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345 or visit online at www.cancer.org.

Frank P. Mascia III

Regional Vice President

American Cancer Society

Shrewsbury