Registration opened today for this year’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk in Overpeck Park in October — and, once again, a group of local female police officers intends to be out in force.
The members of “Ladies in Blue Fighting in Pink,” which has blossomed since beginning with Officers Heather Castronova of Washington Township and Katie Weaver of Old Tappan two summers ago, will participate in its third march in the park on Oct. 20.
Expected are female officers from, among other departments: Hillsdale, River Vale, Englewood, Woodcliff Lake, Parsippany, Newark, the Bergen County Police Department and the Rutgers Newark campus police, as well as their counterparts from New York.
Some have faced issues of their own, as have their mothers, aunts or grandmothers.
Together, they hope to educate and empower both men and women to live healthy lives and reduce their cancer risks through regular screening that could find trouble “when it is easiest to treat,” Castronova said.
THE WALK
WHAT: Making Strides Walk to Fight Cancer
WHEN: Sun., Oct. 20
WHERE: Overpeck Park, Ridgefield Park
TIME: 8:30 a.m.
You can walk, volunteer at the event or become a sponsor by going to: Making Strides Overpeck Walk
There are no fees or minimums.
The American Cancer Society turns 100 this year, making the “Making Strides” walks nationwide that much more special. They already form the largest network of breast cancer events in the nation, uniting nearly 300 communities.
The walk will bring together local breast cancer survivors, caregivers, and other people who have been touched by the disease to express hope and a shared determination to make this breast cancer’s last century.
Castronova said the funds raised will go toward “finding cures and promising new treatments through funding and conducting research,” as well as into lobbying efforts geared toward “working with lawmakers to help all women get access to screenings and care.” It will help uninsured women get better access to mammograms, provide free rides for cancer patients to and from treatments – and, of course, fund more intensive research.
NOTE: Since parking in the Ridgefield Park portion of Overpeck lot is severely limited, it will be designated for staff and event set-up only. Satellite lots, with shuttle bus service available from 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. will be set up at:
- Glenpointe Marriott – 100 Frank W Burr Boulevard, Teaneck
- The Leonia section of Overpeck Park – Degraw Avenue / Fort Lee Road
- The Palisades Park section of Overpeck – Roosevelt Street
Handicap-accessible buses will also be provided.