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Health & Fitness

The 2013 Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Walk By Christopher Annino

The 2013 Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Walk

By Christopher Annino

 

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Every year on the first Saturday of October, you can count on seeing men, women and children over 12 walking along the road, covering all or some of the 26 plus miles from Old Saybrook Point to Camp Harkness in Waterford, CT. Some of them have plastic pink flamingos on their heads, some are wearing tutus over their tights. It is a colorful and cheerful group, because they are on a mission. Their mission is to fight breast cancer. They are raising money for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation. And they are on the Walk Across SE CT.

Other than skin cancer breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. Over 39,500 women will die from the disease in 2013. There are over 200,000 newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer cases in women every year, and over 2,000 in men. This disease does not discriminate; there are females as young as early teens being diagnosed. Today, there are about two and a half million breast cancer survivors in the United States. The gals in the pink tutus and many of the other men and women at the Walk are committed to finding a cure.

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To help address these issues, in 2005, two friends, Norma Logan (1958-2006) and Sandy Maniscalco started the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF). The desire to establish a non-profit organization was from frustration at seeing successful fundraising efforts being diverted from research to cover organizational overhead. For example, between 2004 and 2005 Norma and Sandy led a small group of individuals in raising $200,000 for an internationally renowned breast cancer foundation's sponsorship of a 3-Day Walk. Upon investigating the financials of the 3-Day event, it was determined that 40% of all money raised went to overhead. Of the $200,000 raised by Norma's and Sandy's group, $80,000 never made it to critical programs or research. Determined to address this issue and ensure money was directed at finding a cure, these women established a unique non-profit organization, which through sponsorship and volunteerism, is able to direct 100 percent of total gross fundraising efforts to breast cancer research.

The organization's name was chosen to honor a dear friend, Terri Brodeur. Terri presented with Stage IV breast cancer in 2003. Effective treatment options did not exist to help Terri, and after a two-year battle she succumbed to the disease leaving behind a beloved husband and three young children. After a two-year battle with breast cancer, Terri succumbed to the disease in 2005, as did Norma one year later. The Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation (TBBCF) is a local, non-profit group committed to fighting breast cancer by directing 100% of gross fundraising dollars directly to breast cancer research. Administrative costs are either sponsor-supported or volunteer provided.

This year, just as the sun was rising on Saturday, October 5th, walkers and some runners took their marks, prepared to fight breast cancer by walking the full marathon . The opening ceremonies started at Old Saybrook point, Old Say brook. Colin Britt sang the national anthem and Terri’s children Ashley and Sean Brodeur spoke. Walkers or teams could choose several distances to walk other than the marathon.  Ms. New England 2013 Vanassa Sebastian who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer and is this year’s Honorable Chair for the Walk made an appearance.  During the duration of the walkathon, walkers could stop at pit stops to get food and refreshments. Longtime supporter of the foundation Miss L from Jammin 107.7 did a live radio broadcast. Businesses such as Deep River Snacks provided free food and vendors like Jewels for Hope http://www.jewelsforhope.net/  donated 10 percent of what they made to the foundation. Sue Menhart performed at the closing ceremony at Camp Harkness in Waterford Connecticut.  It was a team effort but it was just proof that the dream is alive and well. Walkers for the half marathon joined in on Capital Avenue in East Lyme. Those who were interested in the quarter marathon began in the town of Niantic, where the businesses along Main Street were also ‘dressed in pink’ for the day.

“I have been part of this wonderful TBBCF organization since it's inception. I have been Team Captain, Walk Co-Chair and the last two years, as Walk Director.   I have made many friends, and the walkers and volunteers I have met bring me joy each day. Not many organizations can proudly say that 100% of gross fundraising dollars goes directly to research, and that is what makes our Foundation unique” said Ellen Walsh Swercewski, the Walk Director.

In the Spring, Mary DeVizia assumed the role of Executive Director for the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation “It is an honor and privilege to be associated with the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation, that since 2006 this foundation supported largely by volunteers has raised $2.4 million for breast cancer research.   The commitment and passion of the Foundation’s board members and volunteers is awe inspiring.   They give me energy and enthusiasm to do my very best everyday” said DeVizia.

For more information to see how you can help fuel the dream and help vanquish this illness check out the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation http://www.tbbcf.org/ 

 

 

 

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