CMC Park/Zoo Goes Pink for 4th Annual Walk

Cape Regional Medical Center, Parish Nursing hosted its 4th Annual Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, Oct. 6 at the Cape May County Park/Zoo from 1 to 3 PM. Walkers and runners gathered at the start line of this “Paint the Park Pink” event dressed head to toe in their pink apparel where they received pink silicone bracelets for their donations in support of the event. Each walker/runner received a map of the park’s “pink” trail, but the course was also marked by pink ribbons tied around park trees.
“Making a Difference” donors were rewarded with “pink ribbon” shoelaces to commemorate the event. Pink “BC Walk” tees were also on sale at the event’s registration table. The purchase of one of these tees would buy a mammogram for a woman without insurance through Cape Regional and Susan G. Komen’s Breast Health Program.
According to Susan Staeger, Marketing and PR Coordinator for Cape Regional, the “Paint the Park Pink” event’s attendance has doubled each year since its inception. “The first year we had ten walkers, the next we had fifteen, last year we had twenty five, and today we have fifty participants,” she stated.
On site at the walk’s starting line were representatives from Cape Regional Medical Center distributing information about the hospital’s grant through Susan G. Komen, the hospital’s Comprehensive Breast Care Treatment options, cancer prevention, and lymphedema management. Cape Regional nurses were also on site to field participants’ questions about breast health and the proper time frame in which to receive a mammogram.
Cape Radiology also had its own table at the walk’s start line at which representatives explained the mammogram process and distributed freebies such as a nail care kit. The Cape May County Department of Health was in attendance to share information on its CEED (Cancer Education and Early Detection) Program. The CEED Program is a Cancer screening program utilizing funds from the CDC, Breast and Cervical Cancer Initiative, The NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, and the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
All proceeds from the event go directly to Susan G. Komen Central and South Jersey. Seventy-five percent (75%) of all funds raised go directly to support local breast cancer screening and educational programs. The remaining 25% supports research.