By Samantha Joseph
Staff writer
MARTIN COUNTY - About 200 supporters of an effort to fight breast cancer are set to take to the streets next month for Indiantown Community Outreach's second annual breast cancer awareness walk-a-thon.
The event is set for Oct. 20 and will cover 5 kilometers or about 3 miles.
Indiantown Community Outreach is working with the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which identified Indiantown as an underserved area for cancer education and resources.
"We need a lot of manpower for what we do," said Jackie Clarke, CEO of the local nonprofit organization. "We're working to bring awareness in the hope that one day the world will be free of breast cancer and every other kind of cancer, as well."
When the group organized its first walk-a-thon fundraiser last year, it generated enough community support to serve about 800 low-income women with no or insufficient health insurance to cover the cost of their medical care. It provided mammograms, education on breast health, financial assistance with medical bills, translation services and transportation to healthcare providers.
Indiantown Community Outreach is also looking to broaden its outreach amid growing numbers of breast cancer cases among men.
"We speak a lot to women but we have to have information for men, too," Ms. Clarke said.
Last year's walk generated about $7,000 to the group in cash and donations, including a 36-inch flat-screen television that served as a grand prize.
Organizers hope to raise around $10,000 this year. They're seeking sponsors to donate prizes and lend other support.
"This is a small community but the businesses have always been very generous, and we've always been able to come back to the well," Ms. Clarke said.
Residents who want to participate in the effort can register for the walk. The fee is $10. Participants must sign up by Oct. 9 to request specific sizes for shirts included in registration packages.
For more information, call (772) 597-1771.