CUMBERLAND — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to give attention for critical research and extensive support for a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people each year.
A sea of pink filled the track and field at Allegany College of Maryland Saturday morning for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides for Western Maryland event, one of many breast cancer awareness activities taking place in Western Maryland this year.
Over 20 teams and 100 participants walked to spread awareness and remember those that have been lost to breast cancer.
“This is the first year that we’ve had this many teams,” said Maureen Muir Dye of Lonaconing, team captain of the Pink Ladies. The team is one of the most successful groups that participate in the walk each year.
The theme for this year was “We are the movement. We are the hope. We are the future,” a stance that is both energetic and strong to represent the battles of the disease, which is the most common cancer among women in the United States, except for skin cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, it accounts for about 30% of all new female cancers each year. Nearly 311,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2024.
Nearly 99% of breast cancer cases diagnosed in the early stages are highly treatable, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
The walk raises tens of thousands of dollars each year, and is part of countless other Making Strides events across the United States. In total, the American Cancer Society has raised about $1 billion for cancer research since 1993 when the first Making Strides event occurred.
Last year, Making Strides raised $55,000 and this year it raised nearly $60,000.
Dye said that her own journey with breast cancer is what led her to become so involved with the cause.
“I’d never though that I would be a breast cancer advocate,” she said. “But once that happens to you, your whole family gets involved.”
She began working with the American Cancer Society in 2009, shortly after her diagnosis. From there, the journey has only intensified her passion for spreading awareness and becoming a strong fighter against the disease.
Dye was first diagnosed with breast cancer 16 years ago — a Stage 0 diagnosis that was treated quickly.
“Then, I got the shock of my life,” Dye said.
Six years ago, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, meaning that it had spread to other parts of her body.
“I’ll be on treatment for the rest of my life, but life is good,” she said.
To Dye, the diagnosis has fueled her passion for spreading awareness toward researching a better treatment for those diagnosed with late-stage or metastatic breast cancers.
“It can happen to anybody,” Dye said. “If I can help just one person with my story, then it’s well worth telling.”
At first, Dye was reluctant to become involved with groups like the American Cancer Society, but that quickly changed when she realized the good that she could do.
Dye said her key is to always stay positive and she is now a proud grandmother.
The Pink Ladies raised close to $20,000 last year, and the team consistently raises the most for charity among the top teams at the Making Strides event.
“Our team pushes for research to get groundbreaking treatments,” Dye said.
Since 2009, Dye said the event has only grown in popularity and participation — from just a couple of teams in the first year to hundreds coming out each October.
To donate or learn more about the American Cancer Society and Making Strides for Western Maryland, go to https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=strides_msabc.