HUD Columbia, South Carolina Field Office Employees Join the Battle against Breast Cancer

Walkers day of walk

On Saturday, October 1, 2011, the Columbia, South Carolina State Office employees participated in Palmetto Health's 21st Walk for Life and the second annual 5K Race for Life (http://palmettohealthfoundation.org/body-NoRightMenu.cfm?id=30&oTopID=11)...Steps against breast cancer. Finlay Park in downtown Columbia was adorned in pink and white Saturday morning as more than 7,100 people took steps to lengthen the odds for breast cancer survivors. After the National Anthem was sung and several minutes of warm-up exercises were performed, the whistle blew and the walk to raise awareness and support for the fight against this deadly disease began.

The first "Walk" was held in 1991 and was organized in memory of those who lost their battle with breast cancer and to honor the women and men who have survived the disease. The goal is to remind people that the first step in the fight against breast cancer is that early detection is the best protection! Net proceeds from the walk are used to fund breast cancer education, early detection efforts, patient support and research. The event is held the first Saturday in October in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Some members of the HUD Family and Friends Walking Teams

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 230,480 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2011. Although breast cancer largely affects women, studies show 2,140 men will also be diagnosed this year. About 39,520 women will die from the disease. But, millions of women are surviving breast cancer today thanks to better treatment, early detection and taking preventive action.

This is the 15th year that the HUD Columbia Office has participated in the walk. Team Captain, Isabella Thomas, organized the team in 1996. Prior to the inception of the team concept, she participated as an individual walker in the very first walk in 1991. She will be retiring in December 2011 and will pass the torch to Pamela Scott, Co-captain for the past three years.

Forty-eight employees, family and friends participated in the walk/run either by joining the team or making a donation. The "HUD Family and Friends" Team raised a total of $1,170. The walk/run raised more than $512,000 to be used for awareness, education, patient and family support and research.