It was a
sea of red and pink as more than 500 St. John’s University
students, staff, administrators and faculty joined the American Cancer Society's annual
“Making Strides against Breast Cancer” Walkathon on October 21 at
Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, NY. This year, the
University community helped raise more than $30,000 for the
cause.
“The
annual walk generates awareness and funds for the ongoing research
the American Cancer Society supports every day,” said Joseph
Sciame ’71Ed, Vice President of Community Relations.
2012 Photo Gallery
“We see this as a learning experience for our students,” Sciame
stressed. “Those who walked from St. John's joined nearly 12,000
others, and together we have raised well over $1.5 million for the
boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. The event is an opportunity to
learn more about this dread disease and become active fund-raisers.
We cannot think of a more appropriate activity for the University
community, especially our students.”
Walkers gathered at the St. John’s School of Law Cafeteria, where
they were cheered on by the University's Pep Band, Cheerleaders and
Dance Team as they embarked on the five-mile trek.
Margaret
Cashin ’03CPS, ’10G, Community Relations Assistant and one of
the day's organizers, said that participating in the Walk has
special meaning for her. “Three years ago, my sister-in-law
passed away after a 20-year struggle with breast cancer,” Cashin
recalled. “My sister is a 14-year survivor, and a dear friend died
at age 39 from the disease. I want my daughters and grandchildren
to live in a world of hope, rather than one of fear of getting
breast cancer.”
As Director of Health and Wellness at the Staten Island, N.Y., campus, Margaret Tierney,
RN, coordinated St. John’s student, faculty and staff participation
on the other side of New York Bay. “It's become a wonderful
tradition,” she observed, adding that this was her campus’s 17th
year in the effort. The Queens campus has been a flagship
sponsor since 1998.
Many campus organizations have started their own breast cancer
awareness programs to coincide with the Walk, Tierney said. The Iota Alpha
Sigma fraternity hosts an annual "Softball for a Cure,"
bringing together students and Staten Island community leaders to
generate funds and awareness.
“The Staten Island campus of St. John's is very proud of how our
students have taken up the cause to spread awareness, bringing us
closer to finding a cure for breast cancer,” Tierney stressed.
“Every student, administrator, staff and faculty member knows that
this campus turns pink every October.”