It's a nice round number.

And then some.

This year, for the first time, NYSUT volunteers cracked the $1 million barrier in raising money for breast cancer awareness and research in Making Strides walks around the Empire State. NYSUT members at the walks raised $1,015,665 to fight cancer.

"The generosity of our members is the strength of our effort," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira. "Our volunteers are leaders in their schools and their communities. Our work has set a new standard for our corporate partners to match."

One leader was Lori Mollo, who helped coordinate the White Plains Teachers Association contingent. A veteran first-grade teacher, Mollo said, "I've seen the faces of children who have lost parents. You can't help but be moved." Mollo herself has weathered four biopsies.

The Yonkers Federation of Teachers turned out in force. "When you have a teacher involved, you have a neighborhood involved," said Deborah Collier, a Yonkers teacher who is - like Mollo - a legislative ambassador for the American Cancer Society, lobbying in Washington, D.C.

Long Island retiree Sheila Goldberg took pride in local unions that walked with their districts' PTA and student groups. "Our members are concerned about the community as a whole," said Goldberg, who walked in the Jones Beach march.

Goldberg is a two-time cancer survivor.