The Walk

Some planned activities and events to look forward to this year are as described.

Walk - Run - Pledge:

Make Strides Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is our opportunity to honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate women about early detection and prevention, and raise money to fund lifesaving research and support programs that ease the burden of patients and their families. But Making Strides is more than just the name of a walk; it describes the amazing progress we can make if we work together to defeat this disease.

This year approximately 250,000+ women and men will hear the words, "You have breast cancer," and there's a good chance that some of them will be people we know and love. The impact those words will have on you and your family will more than ever impress upon the importance of the work that the American Cancer Society (ACS) does for those who suffer from this disease. Although cancer research has come a long way, there is still so much more to be done. If we could prevent just one person from going through what many have gone through, we would feel we have made a difference.

WASC is fighting back against this disease, and to help make a difference we are participating in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Sunday, October 2nd. We invite you to join our team, Team WASC Walkers! If you would like to walk with us, please follow the link to our team's page provided for more information on how to sign up.

Donations Received To Date There is no registration fee or fundraising minimum, and men, women and children of all ages are encouraged to participate. This noncompetitive, scenic walk winds along the Charles River. There are two routes – one is 5.7 miles long and the other is 3 miles long and wheelchair accessible. Last year, nearly 40,000 walkers raised $3.1 million in the nation's oldest and largest one-day breast cancer walk! We're looking forward to doing it again – with you – on Sunday, October 14, 2012.

If you cannot walk with us, we hope you will support our efforts by making a donation. If you would like to make a charitable monetary contribution, we have a WASC Collection Jar on the Program Director's desk at WASC, or you may send a personal check, payable to the American Cancer Society, to WASC, Attn: Program Director, P.O. Box 66217, Auburndale, MA 02466-0002, or you may simply go to our ACS team page at Team WASC to make a direct online donation.

THE WALK:

The Walk. Living or passed, all those who have been affected by breast cancer share an equal importance in all our lives and hearts. This year's Walk for Team WASC is dedicated to Leonice "Lee" B. Frazier.

Leonice is the mother of our Program Director, Terese Walkeapaa. She was a lifelong resident of Auburndale, MA who had five children and five grandchildren who she absolutely adored.

Mom was the queen of Owatonna Street and made sure the children and families of the neighborhood were safe and secure. From her front screened-in porch she would keep an eye on the whole neighborhood. Her house was "the place" to be and mom always had hot food, cold drinks and an open heart to all who attended.

Mom worked as a crossing guard for the city of Newton while raising her family, but her most gratifying job was working at the Williams Extended Day Program as an afterschool teacher with myself for seven years.

When mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, she fought the disease long and hard until she finally succumbed. In the course of her two year bout with breast cancer, she fought the disease and never felt sorry for herself.

Along with my sister, Christine, mom was the strongest, kindest, supportive and loving person anybody could ever meet. So many children and adults will be at a loss for not having the grand opportunity of meeting Lee.

If you would like to share your personal story, or would like to sponsor a loved one who has passed due to breast cancer, for next year's American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, please Contact the Program Director and we will highlight the individual with proper dedication.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTORS:

Charitable Contributors. Our team's overall charitable contribution toward this cause is made possible by the charitable contributions of WASC families, friends and staff. Thank you to all.

2011 charitable contributors:

Julie Andersen	John Frazier
Marianela Bennett	Jacobson Family
Peter Bennett	Kathleen Leary
Katie Daley	Terese Walkeapaa
Ms. Noah Feldman	WASC Collection Jar

To make a direct online donation, please visit our team page, Team WASC; or send your check, payable to the American Cancer Society, to WASC, Attn: Program Director, P.O. Box 66217, Auburndale, MA 02466-0002.

WALKING VOLUNTEERS:

Walking Volunteers. Our team is comprised of WASC families, friends and staff. All participating staff members have chosen to volunteer a few hours of their time outside of work towards this cause.