Long Island, home to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the number one breast cancer event in the nation, is also home to some of the nation’s leading businesses and individuals who provide continuous leadership, commitment, and dedication to impact the American Cancer Society’s mission.
With over 3,000 corporate and business led teams involved in the Making Strides movement nationwide, PSEG Long Island, New York State Union of Teachers (NYSUT) and NYBRA Plastic Surgery all landed in the “top 20 fundraising companies for MSABC” according to Katie Goepfrich Schafer, Executive Director.
Other notables include top individual supporters Jodi Koelsch from Team Jodi’s Journey who raised over $44,000 this year. Koelsch, a breast cancer survivor who gets her company involved to support her fundraising efforts, has once again ranked nationally in the top 8 for individual fundraising. Another top-ranking team from Long Island is Linda’s Angels, a team from Massapequa, was recognized for their continual support in memory of Linda Cestaro who sadly lost her breast cancer battle.
“Behind every Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event are many talented, determined, and extraordinary individuals who go above and beyond to support the American Cancer Society’s mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer,” said Goepfrich Schafer. “They lend their time, talents, and generosity to Long Island’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement, and we truly cannot thank them enough.”
Corporate support for Making Strides is one-way local companies represent, advance the cancer cause, while expanding community presence, according to Brittany Lawton, Director for the Making Strides walks at Jones Beach and in Riverhead. To learn more about Making Strides, visit makingstrideswalk.org/longisland or call 212-237-3875.
Funds raised help the American Cancer Society to invest in groundbreaking breast cancer research and provide free, comprehensive information and support to those touched by breast cancer. The American Cancer Society provides screening guidelines, education for health care professionals, and engages in efforts to increase public awareness about the importance of awareness and tests in reducing breast cancer deaths. “We help cancer patients through their journey as they move through the health care system, including helping with insurance problems, referring them to local services, peer support, assisting caregivers, and addressing obstacles to care,” said Lawton.
About the Awards
The Spirit of Strides Awards seek to honor and recognize all those who have gone above and beyond to help the American Cancer Society lead the fight for a world without breast cancer through Making Strides. From engaging survivors or an entire school community to promoting your event or creating an event experience to remember, our individual victories will collectively translate to the ultimate victory of beating our biggest rival – cancer.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. We invest in lifesaving research, provide 24/7 information and support, and work to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. For more information, visit cancer.org.
