Lemoore College Leads the Charge Against Breast Cancer

LEMOORE - Lemoore College hosted an on-site event for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The breast cancer awareness walk took place on Oct. 24 at 8 a.m. next to the child development building on campus. Over 300 people were in attendance, and 24 vendors were present.

The event was easy to find with a big, pink inflatable arch perched at the starting point. Participants were immediately directed to the registration table upon arrival, where they were given a number and a goodie bag in a reusable tote. The items inside were provided by the event’s sponsors, such as Chukchansi and Central Valley Breast Care (CVBC). Some special items, like enamel butterfly pins, were set aside for breast cancer survivors.

Registration was open from 7-7:45 a.m. People from all walks of life came pouring in, from students of nearby schools to parents who brought their children. There were even a few large dogs who had joined the walk. The students gathered in groups with their respective schools to hold up their handmade signs, with some classes coming from as far as Hanford West. Vendors included official health advocates and organizations, and there was a table set up for a raffle.

The runners were gathered up front before the race officially kicked off at 8:22 a.m. A DJ was brought in to liven up the atmosphere and hype up the runners and walkers just before takeoff. Participants had the option of either walking or running and of traveling the 2k or 5k route. Most of the crowd chose to walk the 2k route, sporting their best pink apparel.

Student helpers were placed at key checkpoints to help direct the crowd and keep spirits high. They held vibrant signs and cheered as loudly as they could. Some had noisemakers while others tested the limits of their windpipes. A blood pressure check and hydration station awaited the walkers and runners at the halfway point. From there, people were instructed to make a U-turn and head back the way they came to finish the race.

Everyone was awarded a breast cancer awareness medal upon their return, whether they took the 2k or 5k route. An honor wall was accessible throughout the duration of the event. Attendees were encouraged to write a name on a paper ribbon in honor or remembrance of a loved one affected by breast cancer. The wall was nearly covered by the end of the race.

Breast cancer starts with abnormal cells that grow into a tumor. The cells break down, and the surviving damaged cells evolve and multiply. The abundant abnormal cells spread throughout the body, at which point breast cancer progresses into metastasis. Early detection is key to survival.

The breast cancer awareness walk at Lemoore College brought the community together in fighting against a disease that impacts women around the world. The turnout of over 300 attendees proved just how much breast cancer affects us and our loved ones, even in our tight-knit towns.