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Why is fighting breast cancer so important? Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in almost all countries worldwide. Breast cancer is the leading cancer type in females in most countries in the world in 2018. About one in twenty females will be diagnosed with breast cancer over the course of their lifetime, although this number varies significantly by country. In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. Currently, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%. This means there is a 1 in 8 chance she will develop breast cancer. This also means there is a 7 in 8 chance she will never have the disease. Breast cancer occurs mainly in women, but men can get it, too. Many people do not realize that men have breast tissue and that they can develop breast cancer. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer and can spread to other areas. For more information about breast cancer, please visit cancer.org or check out the Breast Cancer Awareness Inforoll for a roadmap to various programs available to cancer patients and their caregivers.    

How is the Making Strides movement different from other breast cancer walks? Simple: we’re fundraising for more than just research. We’re raising money to help breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers through every step of their experience – whether that means giving a patient a ride to chemo, helping a survivor look good so they feel better, or being available to answer a caregiver’s question at 2 a.m. Since 2008 when a virtual American Cancer Society office was established, Second Life cancer survivors and caregivers have been able to find support and information at Hope Haven on the American Cancer Society campus. Our in-world support groups allow cancer survivors and cancer caregivers to share your experiences, fears, anger, helpful information, and more importantly, the knowledge you are in a “safe place” among people who are going through or went through similar experiences. Additionally, Second Life residents can connect directly to the American Cancer Society‘s trained cancer specialists who are able to provide answers and connect you with resources. The campus also provides the opportunity to connect to the National Cancer Information Center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Cancer information, answers, and hope. Available every minute of every day. 1-800-227-2345 Whether it’s the middle of the afternoon or the middle of the night, our cancer information specialists are here to help. Have questions about treatment options or potential side effects? We have you covered. Need a ride to chemo or a place to stay when treatment is far away? We can help. Even if you just need a friendly ear, we’re here to help and can assist in more than 200 languages (via a language line) – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The American Cancer Society started Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks to unite communities in the fight against this deadly disease. Today, Making Strides is the largest network of breast cancer events in the nation – and we do more than just walk. We raise money to help the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and provide patient services like free rides to chemo, free places to stay near treatment, and a live 24/7 cancer helpline. But we can’t do any of this without the help of people like you. Within Second Life we have “Strides Campaigns”. Strides campaigns is a “DIY” program where you can create a campaign of your own for unique communities within Second Life to fight breast cancer every October. Residents are invited to take part in an existing campaign that is displayed at the Strides building on the American Cancer Society campus, plan events of their own or just fight breast cancer by placing a kiosk or vendor where their friends, family, fans, or customers can support their fundraising efforts. By uniting our communities and raising money, we can help the American Cancer Society fund breakthrough breast cancer research, provide free information and support, and help people reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it may be more treatable.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer or MSABC is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the United States, bringing together more than 200 communities to finish the fight. Every breast cancer walk and event is an incredible and inspiring opportunity to honor those who have battled breast cancer, raise awareness about what we can do to reduce our breast cancer risk, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease with research, information, services, and access to mammograms for women who need them. History of Making Strides: In 1984, Massachusetts cancer survivor Margery Gould Rath wanted to find a way to celebrate fellow cancer survivors by raising funds for the American Cancer Society. Working with a committee of fellow survivors and other volunteers, “Margie” created a “move-along-a-thon” called Making Strides Against Cancer to bring people together in an event to move the fight against cancer forward. The first event, held in Boston, drew 200 participants and instantly became an annual city tradition. In 1993, the event officially became known as the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, attracting 5,000 walkers at events in Boston and in Manchester, New Hampshire who raised $660,000. Since then, Margie’s vision has inspired 15 million walkers to participate in Making Strides events in more than 200 communities across the country, raising more than $935 million to fight breast cancer and helping 3.5 million breast cancer survivors celebrate another year. Margie remained a dedicated Making Strides volunteer until she lost her battle with cancer in 2001. The progress we’re making because of Making Strides supporters like Margie is nothing short of remarkable. But it’s no time to rest. That’s why we need your help. More walkers mean the next big breast cancer research breakthrough. More walkers mean free lodging and rides to treatment for breast cancer patients who need it. More walkers fundraising mean more survivors who will celebrate more birthdays. Visit the official Making Strides Website for more information.