By Sabrina Watkins
Raider Shakedown Reporter
MURFREESBORO,
Tenn. – The Sista Strut fundraising walk occurred April
18 at the Bicentennial State Park in Nashville, providing the community with
information about breast cancer and supporting African-American women.
Sista
Strut started in 2009, raising awareness about the disease. The event made its
first appearance this year in Tennessee. A variety of people joined together
for a 3K walk to help support and spread information about the disease.
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| Runners participate in the 3k Sista Strut fundraising walk to help raise awareness for cancer |
“African-American
women are more likely to be affected by breast cancer than any other race,” said
iHeartMedia Regional Event Director Candace Price.
American
Cancer Society is a nationwide community health organization that helps people
with the disease and helps find cures. According to ACS, there were more breast
cancer incidences overall in 2010, but there were more African-American women
dying from breast cancer. Since 1979, the survival rate increased dramatically
for all races, but recent studies show that there is a 79 percent survival rate
for African-American women and 92 percent for white women.
“This event is to help the
African-American community be more aware of breast cancer and get preventive
care,” Price said.
Price mentioned
that 4,500 to 5,500 people participated in the Memphis event, and more than 800
participated at Bicentennial Park near the Tennessee State Capitol.
Many who
volunteered and participated wore hot pink and cheered each other on during the
3K walk. Miranda Shaw, 25, of Hendersonville, walked with her friends to give
support.
“It was pretty fun,"
Shaw said. "I met some cool people and we all walked together. I wanted to
give as much support as I could because I’m an African-American woman, and I
might need the support in the future.”
More than $3,000
was raised for the non-profit organization Bright Pink and Susan G. Komen
Foundation.
For more
information about breast cancer or how to find support, receive treatment, and
get more involved, visit www.cancer.org.
