Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk to mark event’s 41st year
King
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for Central PA ambassador Jessica King stands with her team members, who will be walking with her on Oct. 11. Courtesy photo
Founder of The Breastie Project, Jessica King (right), takes a selfie with members. Courtesy photo
King
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for Central PA ambassador Jessica King stands with her team members, who will be walking with her on Oct. 11. Courtesy photo
Founder of The Breastie Project, Jessica King (right), takes a selfie with members. Courtesy photo
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Cancer doesn't discriminate, according to committee members and this year's ambassador of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Central Pennsylvania walk.
"I found my lump in the shower, and if I ignored that, my story would look a lot different," ambassador Jessica King said.
During a self-examination in 2024, the Roaring Spring native found a lump in her breast. She was diagnosed with Stage 2B HER2 triple-positive invasive ductal carcinoma with lymph node involvement and underwent chemotherapy, immunotherapy and a double mastectomy.
"I don't think anyone who knew me thought this would happen, let alone at 40," King said.
As the 41st annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Central PA walk approaches on Oct. 11 at the Peoples Natural Gas Field, King hopes her story raises awareness among other young women like her.
"Making Strides gave me the platform that 'this can happen to anyone,'" she said.
The Making Strides event is a place where breast cancer survivors can walk alongside their family, friends and other survivors, volunteer Jill Brubaker Reigh said.
Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. before it's off to the starting line at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Participants will then walk through Lakemont Park past the Leap-The-Dips roller coaster and close out on the ballpark field, completing about a 30-minute route.
"It's cool for people who have never gotten to be on the (ballfield)," she said.
Their fundraising goal is $119,000 this year, she said. A portion will be donated to American Cancer Society research. The remaining amount will fund local programs for those battling breast cancer -- providing wigs, transportation to appointments and counseling.
Those who are interested can pre-register or donate by visiting: https://tinyurl.com/4kv2kz8y.
"It's better to be proactive and help in the fight so that someday we don't have to worry about it anymore," she said.
Because so many people have been touched by breast cancer, senior event manager Sharon Okeiff-Fusco said the committee encourages people of all ages to get early mammograms and tests.
"That's the why," she said. "Early diagnosis for early treatment so there is a cure."
When it came to choosing King as this year's ambassador, Okeiff-Fusco said her age proves that early detection is a lifesaver.
"A lot of people don't think you have to until you're older, but it resonates with her age," Okeiff-Fusco said.
Since King's diagnosis, she developed The Breastie Project, which supports area patients in their fight against breast cancer. Describing herself as a dog mom, she also runs Among The Wild, a pet lodging and training service in Roaring Spring.
King said she's honored to be this year's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer ambassador for central Pennsylvania. She will walk with her family, friends and members of The Breastie Project on Oct. 11.
"It's really important to get out there and (share) as much knowledge about early detection as possible," she said.
If you go
What: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Central PA walk
When: Registration opens at 12:30 p.m., kickoff at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 11
Where: Peoples Natural Gas Field
Registration: Visit https://secure.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCCY26NER?pg=entry&fr_id=112427