Cancer walk offers ‘wave of pinkness’

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk will wrap Huizenga Plaza in a sea of pink. Supporters don everything from rosy tutus to hot pink T-shirts in a show of solidarity against the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women.

“It’s a real wave of pinkness,” said Maggie Wiegandt, event chairwoman and vice president of oncology services for Memorial Healthcare System. “People have so much fun with it. It’s a happy event with a lot of music, games, local cheerleaders and bands.”

The American Cancer Society puts on walks across the country to raise funds for research, education and patient programs.

“I know their services that are provided to my patients such as local transportation and support groups are really making a difference for our patients,” Wiegandt said.

Last year the Fort Lauderdale event drew 30,000 participants and raised nearly $1 million, Wiegandt said.

“We’re hoping to beat that,” she said. “It’s challenging to up the ante when it’s so high already.”

James Jackson was the top 2016 fundraiser in the state earning more than $8,400. The financial advisor with Merrill Lynch in Plantation said his bond to the event stems from a battle with testicular cancer 10 years ago.

After overcoming the disease, Jackson sought volunteer work with American Cancer Society. Now as chairman of its Real Men Wear Pink initiative, he’s leading about two dozen professionals and community leaders. Each has pledged to raise at least $2,500 and wear pink every day in October.

“We not only want to raise money but to raise awareness as well, because the key to [beating] breast cancer and any type of cancer is early detection,” Jackson said.

“Part of what we’re doing with the event recognizes the different participants,” he said. The Real Men webpage features thier stories on the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Broward website http://www.MakingStridesWalk.org/RealMenBrowardfl.

On Oct. 28, check-in and registration begin at 7 a.m. with inspirational presentations at Huizenga Plaza, located at 1 E. Las Olas Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. The walk’s start time is 8 a.m.

Registration for the noncompetitive 5K course is free. All are welcome. Teams of two or more are encouraged and many schools, businesses and friends of survivors band together.

For information call 954-495-1095 or visit www.MakingStridesWalk.org/browardfl.