Cantigny hosts DuPage breast cancer walk Sunday, Oct. 19

Nearly 1,500 local breast cancer survivors, caregivers, volunteers, businesses representatives and community members will unite at the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk of DuPage County.

The walk is Sunday, Oct. 19, at Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m., rain or shine.

This noncompetitive, inspirational 5K walk raises awareness and money to support the society's mission to help finish the fight against breast cancer and provides hope to all people facing the disease.

"The fight to end breast cancer starts with a single step, and this event brings us one step closer to a cure," says Emily Lipinsky, senior manager of community events for the American Cancer Society. "Making Strides supporters can be proud that the money they raise enables the American Cancer Society to invest in groundbreaking breast cancer research, help women diagnosed with breast cancer today, and ensure access to screenings and treatment for women who need them."

An estimated 232,670 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2014, and approximately 40,000 will die from the disease. In Illinois, 9,230 women are projected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Last year, 1,200 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer participants raised $287,000 in DuPage County for the American Cancer Society to support breast cancer research, offer free patient/caregiver services, provide in-depth cancer information, and support legislative advocacy to make sure all women have access to the care they need.

Walkers and volunteers still may register. To sign up or learn more, visit makingstrideswalk.org/dupageil.

For information about breast cancer, call the American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.