Pictured: (l-r) John Parkhurst, Laurel Ash, Rosa Wendt, Darienne Oaks, Cynthia Hebert, Deb Kimless and Karen Pavlak-Shaver.

On Sunday, December 8, Making Strides of Sarasota Manatee presented by Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute at Sarasota Memorial Hospital hosted an uplifting festival and walk at Nathan Benderson Park. The inspiring event united the community to honor breast cancer survivors, raise awareness about what we can do to reduce our breast cancer risk and raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease with breast cancer research, information and services and access to mammograms for women who need them.

Survivors, thrivers, caregivers, men and women from all walks of life who are passionate about saving lives from breast cancer joined together to celebrate shared efforts, inspire each other to carry on and chat with the local businesses that support the mission.

The festival area opened bright and early at 7 am and after welcoming remarks, a pre-walk warm up and survivor and thriver photo sessions, the non-competitive three-mile walk began at 9am.

In addition to water stops along the route, the event included food trucks providing a variety of delicious options for purchase, a tent with gift bags, giveaways and complimentary grab-and-go breakfast items and entertainment from various local performers and musicians, including, The Hawaiian Shirts, a local ukulele group.

Dr. Debra Kimless, a breast cancer survivor herself, was proud to perform as part of  The Hawaiian Shirts. "Participating in this event was a deeply moving experience," she says. "Seeing so many people come together--each step a symbol of hope, resilience and unity--reminds me that no one fights this battle alone. Together, we are stronger."

To learn more: https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=strides_learn

Pictured: (l-r) John Parkhurst, Laurel Ash, Rosa Wendt, Darienne Oaks, Cynthia Hebert, Deb Kimless and Karen Pavlak-Shaver.