When Genesee Community College students in the "Alpha Iota Upsilon" chapter of Phi Theta Kappa met for their organizational meeting over a year ago, they came to realize that they had all been affected by breast cancer in some way or another.
"Be it a family member, friend, or acquaintance," said Chapter President Thomas Wieszczyk,"we all knew someone who had battled breast cancer."
That's why they started "Walk for a Cure," a walk in honor of breast cancer victims and survivors that will be heldat 10 a.m. on Saturday on GCC grounds (at 1 College Road in Batavia). This will be the second annual walk; the above photo, which features student officers and volunteers, is from last year.
Pre-registration is not required to participate in the walk, which is open to the public. Lasting about 30-45 minutes, it will begin at the nature trail west of the campus and then wind its way through the woods and across the field, ending at the student forum.
Tickets cost $3, and T-shirts can be purchased for an additional $4.
Around 11 a.m., there will be a post-walk gathering in the student forum with refreshments -- including drinks and pizza from Mark's Pizzeria -- guest speakers and information on how to conduct a self-examination.
Guest speakers will include Bobbie Noto of GCC, Sharon Occhino of "Komen for the Cure" and Susan Smith, a GCC student and breast cancer survivor.
The event will also feature:
- A raffle including gift baskets, gift certificates and a pink ribbon quilt; and
- A Chinese Auction that will include gift certificates to Settler's Restaurant, Burger King, Denny's, the National Museum of Play in Rochester, Total Tan, Continental School of Beauty and more.
According to Wieszczyk, "Walk for a Cure" was sparked by a desire to start a "project that would help our community, raise student involvement within the community and fit into Phi Theta Kappa's national initiative for that year."
"Our then-president, Devon Kleinbach, called for order and said that she would very much like to do a breast cancer awareness walk."
The first walk raised over $1,000, which was donated to United Memorial Medical Center "to cover the cost of breast cancer screening for people who could not otherwise afford it."
The same will be done with this year's proceeds.
So far, the students of Phi Theta Kappa have gotten a lot of support, with community organizations and individuals donating gift baskets and nearly $300 raised from a pre-walk bake sale on Tuesday.
"If things continue in this fashion," Wieszczyk said, "we will have another phenomenal year."
Photo submitted by Thomas Wieszczyk
I am the Public Relations
I am the Public Relations Officer for Phi Theta Kappa this year and today's event was very successful despite the cold weather. A big thank you to Stan's Harley-Davidson for donating such a large amount for our Walk. I was able to make 3 baskets with all of it. Also a thank you to Gary at the Boutique for providing a handbag filled with hair care products. Most of all thank you to all of our officers, advisers, guest speakers and each and every individual who participated in the event or contributed to the event itself!