American Cancer Society Hosts Kickoff Breakfast For 2005 Puget Sound Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event

The American Cancer Society will commence the fourth annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Puget Sound walk by hosting a community breakfast on Thursday, August 4, 7:00 a.m. at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue – 11100 NE 6th Street. An estimated 350 attendees, representing businesses and organizations from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, will have the opportunity to learn about the latest breast cancer news from leaders in the medical community, share inspirational and personal breast stories, and find out how to get involved locally in the fight against breast cancer. “The American Cancer Society is dedicated to raising awareness about the disease, and providing access to quality breast cancer screening programs and local patient support services,” said Linda Henderson, vice president of the American Cancer Society, Puget Sound Metro Market. “The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event is a forum for the community to come together to share personal stories and to do something collaboratively about a disease that has touched so many of our lives.” In addition to raising funds for breast cancer research and programs through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, this year the American Cancer Society wants to increase awareness and grassroots support for the Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program (WBCHP). The state-operated program provides breast and cervical cancer early detection services for medically underserved women, which include screenings, public education and professional education. Through the American Cancer Society advocacy efforts at the national and state levels for continuous funding, more than 8,000 women are enrolled and screened annually through WBCHP. In Washington, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 3,920 new cases of invasive breast cancer this year and approximately 750 women will die of the disease. On October 2, people across the Puget Sound area can make a difference in the lives of women and their families by participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. This 5-mile non-competitive walk will start at the Bellevue Downtown Park. Registration opens at 8:00 a.m. and the event begins at 8:30 a.m. For more information about the breakfast, call 425.741.8949 or email katrina.billington@cancer.org. For information on how to participate or to form a team of walkers for the Puget Sound Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event, visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline.