Team Bosom Buddies at the 2nd Annual Mission Pink Walk/Run for Breast Cancer Awareness on October 9, 2010.
Mission, TX – For the third consecutive year, Mission Regional Medical Center is going pink and gearing up for the Annual “Mission Pink” Walk/Run for Breast Cancer Awareness. The 5K Walk is scheduled for Saturday, October 1st and is the perfect event to launch Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
“The community asked for a local walk for breast cancer awareness and we agreed,” stated Nick Espinosa, Director of Marketing for Mission Regional Medical Center. “As a non-profit hospital with a state-of-the-art Breast Care Center, we felt it was a cause that aligned with our values and mission to improve the health of the community we serve.”
More than 1,200 walkers participated in the first walk in 2009. Last year, participation increased by 500. Interest from the community has been high. Organizers are preparing for 2,000 walkers this year.
Walkers like Rebecca Grimes, captain for team Bosom Buddies, have participated in Mission Pink since the first walk. “This year, I’m walking for my cousin Oralia Salinas Garza. She passed away this past April at the age of 57. Now my goal is to have a team of 57 this year,” says Grimes. “It’s exciting and very stressful, but it’s for a good cause. And it’s in my cousin’s honor.”
“Our walkers are very passionate about the cause,” says Evelyn Sáenz, Marketing Coordinator for Mission Regional Medical Center. “Almost everyone that I have spoken to has been affected directly or known someone who has been affected by breast cancer. With this event, we hope to lift the spirits of the survivors and their families, and bring awareness to the importance of early detection.”
“I know early detection is vital to win the fight against breast cancer. Cancer survivors that have gone before us have left us with a legacy to never give up and to win the fight against this disease. So, we will never give up and we will win!” stated motivational speaker Abby Vela. Vela is a breast cancer survivor and will be sharing her inspiring story at the Mission Pink Walk.
Proceeds from Mission Pink benefit the Breast Care Center at Mission Regional Medical Center. Twenty –five percent will go to research, specifically Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure, Houston affiliate. “We felt it was important to keep the monies in Texas for the local programs supported by Susan G. Komen,” added Sáenz.
For more information about Mission Pink, call 956-323-1150 or visit www.MissionPink.org.