Public Employee Press

Breast cancer walkathon
DC 37 members march for a cure

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes and 40,000 women will die from the disease this year alone. Members of DC 37 locals 1549, 924, 768, and 420 fought the disease by joining the American Cancer Society's annual "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walkathon on Sunday, Oct. 16. Wearing pink T-shirts and shoes, some even sporting pink wigs, they marched with thousands of others citywide to raise awareness and money for research.

"We're out here every year," said Alma Roper, Local 1549 executive vice president. "With everyone's help, we hope they find a cure in our lifetime." The local's Women's Committee organized the members' participation. Manhattan Coordinator Carolyn Askew pointed out that members were walking in all five boroughs.

"We're here to support our members who have survived and those we've lost," said Local 420 President Carmen Charles, walking with members in Central Park. The local also donated $1,000 to the cause.

Local 768 member Anna Marie Berry, whose team raised $300, participated with members of her local and Local 924. "Every day, we lose someone to this dreadful disease," she said. "We will keep walking until there's a cure."

The ACS recommends screening mammograms, breast examinations and self-examinations every year, beginning at 40. At the urging of a friend and the insistence of her doctor, Local 1549's Manya Montague had her first mammogram last winter at 49. She learned that she had breast cancer and went through surgery and chemotherapy before returning to work at the Health Dept. She urges other women to get their annual mammogram.

"I want women to know we can beat this disease," she said. "We have to share our stories, stay positive, and keep each other lifted up."