Making Strides Against Breast Cancer: the Movement, the Hope, the Future

Photography by Alex Calnin

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a celebration of courage and hope, a movement uniting communities to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Female breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most diagnosed cancer worldwide. An estimated 287,850 women and 2,710 men will be diagnosed in 2023 in the United States. This year in Missouri, 5,700 women will hear the words “You have breast cancer,” along with 2,470 women in Kansas.

There is hope! There are more than four million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today, including those who have completed treatment and those still undergoing treatment. The death rate from breast cancer dropped by 42 percent from 1989 to 2019 because of earlier detection through increased awareness and mammography screening, as well as advances in treatments.

American Cancer Society began Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks in 1993 as a rallying cry to build awareness and generate funds to help end the disease. Since then, millions of people have participated in Making Strides events in communities such as Kansas City across the country, raising approximately $1 billion to support breast cancer research, patient programs and direct services.

We are the movement.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks have collectively grown into the nation’s largest and most impactful breast cancer movement, providing a supportive community for courageous breast cancer survivors and metastatic breast cancer thrivers, caregivers and families alike.

Be the movement by signing up for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Kansas City. Join us on October 28 at Crown Center and help us save lives, remember loved ones, and fund the future of breast cancer research and programs. Leading up to October, raise funds to reach a suggested personal goal of $100 or more, then walk with us on event day in celebration of your efforts.

We are the hope.
Thanks in large part to decades of work, a breast cancer diagnosis does not come without hope, and the breast cancer journey is not one that is traveled alone.

Be the hope by sponsoring the Making Strides movement. Become a corporate leader in your community to ensure we can celebrate together and honor local survivors and thrivers during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We are the future.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer funds lifesaving breast cancer research and is committed to advancing health equity through essential programs and services, believing that all people have a fair and just opportunity to live a longer, healthier life free from breast cancer.

Be the future by donating. Help fund our work by donating. Every dollar we receive is dedicated to ending breast cancer as we know it. Visit makingstrideswalk.org/kansascitymo to donate today.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Kansas City walk is a noncompetitive three-mile walk. The event is free for anyone who wants to come out and join in the celebration on October 28 at Crown Center. Get involved by visiting MakingStridesWalk.org/KansasCityMO or contact Ashton Wells at ashton.wells@cancer.org.