Thousands of cancer-fighting Brooklynites strut through Coney Island for the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Brooklyn” walk-a-thon on Sunday, where charitable Brooklynites raised over $700,000 to help fight breast cancer.
The five-mile fundraiser began at MCU Park on Surf Avenue when NYC Health and Hospital honcho Kathleen Terrio cut the ribbon to kick-start Sunday’s walk.
“It was an honor to cut the ribbon for the walk,” said Terrio. “We at the hospital are here as a service to help the women of our community live their best lives. It was cool to see the community we’ve been serving come together for this event.”
Terrio, the hospital’s IT Coordinating Manager — along with Chief Operating and Nursing Officer Mei Kong, and Community Advisory Board Chair Rosanne De Gennaro — opened the walk, which raised funds for the American Cancer Society.
Sunday’s event marked the ninth fundraiser that was partially organized by the NYC Health and Hospital branch in Coney Island since late August — the most of any year since the hospital began their annual breast cancer fundraisers over a decade ago, according to Terrio.
During the walking fundraiser, Making Strides Brooklyn incorporated women’s teams from King’s County local high schools — such as cheerleading squads and dance teams — which performed on the sidelines to put some pep in walkers’ steps.
Terrio said she hoped the annual breast cancer fundraisers would only grow in the future.
“Breast cancer touches so many people in our community,” she said. “The hospital conducts approximately 4,500 breast cancer screenings a year. We want to show the people of South Brooklyn that the hospital is here for them, that we want to lift up those struggling, and that we want to find a cure.”
