Making Strides walk set Oct. 16 at ballpark

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Central PA will be held Sunday, Oct. 16, at Peoples Natural Gas Field, Altoona.

Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. with the walk starting at 2 p.m.

There will be food, music, fun, kids activities and a survivor recognition. Survivors are eligible for a free T-shirt redemption if they preregister.

The event honors those touched by the disease and raises awareness and funds to fight breast cancer.

Mary Campbell is the 2022 Making Strides of Central PA Ambassador.

Just over four years ago, one week before Kelly Campbell graduated from high school, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Mary Campbell's breast cancer journey started with her semi-annual mammogram in late April 2019. Because breast cancer is common in her family, Mary is considered high risk for breast cancer. Medical protocol in high-risk patients dictates routine mammograms every six months.

Mary knows the importance of early detection. She is diligent about having her mammograms consistently every six months.

The UPMC Altoona radiologist reviewed her April 2019 mammogram images and reported suspicious lumps on Mary's right breast.

Needle biopsies were performed, showing DCIS Stage 0 breast cancer. Mary underwent a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous cells. This biopsy showed that there were not clear margins around the site, so a second surgery was performed.

Mary then received radiation treatment each weekday for a total of 28 days at UPMC Altoona.

She was able to continue working full-time cleaning houses the entire time, noting that though daily trips for five minutes of radiation were a hassle, the nursing staff was very good to work with, making the necessary experience as pleasant as possible.

Looking back, Mary admits that 2019 was a weird time. Kelly was preparing to move to Pittsburgh to attend Duquesne University, her son Paul and husband Patrick did all they could to keep a normal family routine so that Mary could follow Dr. Shocker's orders to stay active during the treatments.

Today, Paul resides in Hollidaysburg, Kelly is a rising senior at Duquesne majoring in early childhood education and Mary continues with the job she likes.

She is proud to be cancer free for the past 3½ years, thanks to caring, diligent medical professionals, standard breast cancer drugs and continued diligence with mammograms every six months.

Her motto and message as the 2022 Central PA Strides Against Breast Cancer Ambassador, "Just have your mammogram. You need to know, and early detection is key to survival."

The 2022 walk sponsors include the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Bath Fitter, WTAJ and Forever Media.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation, with more than 1 million participants supporting the noncompetitive 3- to 5-mile walks.

Dollars raised help the American Cancer Society fund breast cancer research; provide education and guidance to help people reduce their risk; and offer comprehensive patient support.

To register, visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/centralpa or find us on Facebook.

For more information, contact Linda Hinton at linda.msabc@breezeline.net.