Last year, about 13,000 NYSUT members walked to support efforts to fight breast cancer. For the second consecutive year, NYSUT, a flagship sponsor, raised more than $1 million. Read why NYSUT members participate in Making Strides Against Breast Center. Tell us why you walk. Send your story, 200 words or less, to bsandber@nysutmail.org

Maria Neira
NYSUT vice president

Cancer has impacted people I know and care about — my family, my friends and colleagues. So I walk to raise money. Because money talks in the fight against all kinds of cancers. Every step we take and every dollar we raise goes toward research to eradicate the causes of cancer or developing better treatments for those fighting cancer. I walk because there's nothing so unifying as being with thousands of men and women wearing various forms of pink.

I walk because I can, and I walk for those who can't.

Come join me and your brothers and sisters at any of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks this fall.

Denise Wright
English/reading specialist
Rensselaer TA

I walk for my two daughters, who are 13 and 18 now, because they are at higher risk for cancer.

I was diagnosed in August 2001. I got my prognosis that I had a 70 percent chance of living a year on Sept. 11. I still remember how alone and fearful I was. I had a double mastectomy, started treatments and went to my first walk that October even though I was so sick to my stomach and I had just lost all my hair.

I still vividly remember feeling that no one understands what this is like. I got to Washington Park in Albany to a sea of pink shirts and other women who had lost their hair. And one of those women saw me and asked if this was my first walk. When I said it was, she hugged me and said, "Girlfriend, you are not alone."

From that point on, I have been united with a strong determined group of people who keep me going.

John Rigney
Retiree, Rochester TA

I walk because Mary Barnum makes me! Mary is one of a number of friends who have had breast cancer. She is a great advocate and fellow retiree who runs the walk for the Rochester TA.

Besides walking in honor of friends who have survived cancer, my wife, Sue, and I walk each year in memory of those who have not. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May 2001. I am grateful to be alive today and enjoying my grandchildren. That's directly because of all the research and treatments going into fighting cancer, and all that takes money.

Kathleen Donahue
NYSUT vice president

I have a number of friends, colleagues and acquaintances who have been diagnosed with this terrible illness.

In the late 1970s a friend, Pat Hill Perry, had a sister die at the age of 32 from breast cancer. Years later Pat was diagnosed with breast cancer, but thankfully because of the medical developments, she is now cancer-free.

Those kinds of stories give us all hope. More men and women are being diagnosed earlier so they have far better chances at beating their cancers!

If we're to find a cure, we need to raise millions for research. We raise money by walking, so I walk.