It’s the most PINK time of the year! I am excited to share that once again, I’ll be at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in beautiful Santa Clara, CA. This year the event is on October 26, at California’s Great America theme park. I’ll be cheering on walkers and supporting the movement to end breast cancer.
Keep reading for three great reasons to join the event, if you aren’t already signed up. I would love to see you there! In the event that you live outside the area, Making Strides has events in 150 communities nationwide. You can find a local event here.
Why You Should Attend Making Strides
1. You Could Win a Free Quilt
As has been my tradition for several years, I am donating a quilt to Making Strides, to be raffled off to an event participant. This year, I’m giving away a perfectly pink, hand-made quilt. It’s asymmetrical and whimsical and made from truly lovely fabric. What’s more, the quilt is backed in white sherpa, making it like a warm hug from 12,000 of your closest Making Strides friends. Trust me, you want this quilt.
Have I tempted you yet?
2. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is Festive and Fun
Next, I love the Making Strides event because it is festive and fun. First, you can count on participants to be decked out in all things pink. Second, the event has genuinely great music to keep a bounce in your step all morning long. Third, there is a costume contest this year, where the person with the best, Halloween-iest, pinkest outfit wins four tickets to California’s Great America. It could be you!
The people are friendly and the forecast for Saturday looks great. Why not come on out and enjoy a beautiful day at the park?
3. The Event is a Fundraising Powerhouse
Above all, this event is a great way to make Breast Cancer Awareness Month truly matter: by raising money. This year, Making Strides of Silicon Valley seeks to raise $400k. With this money, the American Cancer Society will be better equipped to fund the future of breast cancer research. In addition, money raised supports critical programs such as patient support and breast cancer education and prevention. Need I say more?
Charity Navigator gives the American Cancer Society a 4 star rating. In addition, it scored a 99% in its latest rating. This is to say, you can trust this nonprofit organization.
Making Strides Silicon Valley Event Details
By now, I hope that you are ready to lace up your sneakers and spend the morning at Making Strides. Here is what you need to know before you go:
- The event begins at 8:00 and includes a 5k walk that starts at 8:30.
- The three-lap walk takes you around Great America, with lots of fun attractions along the way.
- Parking is available for free if you arrive at Great America by 10:00.
- Find me, and other community partners, in near the grassy lawn and the hospitality tents.
- The event wraps up around 11:30am.
- You can still continue fundraising efforts following the October 26 event.
Quiltlove’s Commitment to Breast Cancer Support
Breast cancer touches all of our lives in personal, wrenching and unfair ways. Over the past two years I have had three close friends diagnosed with this disease. And yet, I know that this is just the beginning. I care deeply about ending breast cancer. Furthermore, this cause resonates with my Quiltlove community, with approximately 40% of my quilts going to breast cancer patients.
In addition to my in-kind donation of handmade quilts, I am donating ten percent of proceeds from all breast cancer support quilts purchased by October 31 to charity. Learn more about this commitment here.
Does someone in your life have breast cancer? Or perhaps, she recently completed treatment for breast cancer? Regardless of where she is in her cancer treatment plan, the time is always right to show support. A custom quilt provides lasting comfort and support. In addition, breast cancer support quilts come in shades of pink, and other color combinations. This way, you can personalize your gift to her taste.
Make Breast Cancer Awareness Month Matter
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. I can hardly believe it. As an aside, I was a college intern for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in 2003. Much has been achieved in terms of Breast Cancer Awareness, treatment options and robotics. Despite these gains, there is still much to be done in the areas of prevention, detection and treatment.
In closing, I invite you to make this your most meaningful October yet by participating in this excellent event, or one in your community. I assure you that you will be glad you did. And please, swing by my table and say hello. I would love to meet you!
As always, thanks for reading.
Warmly,
