Tucson, Ariz. -- What unites us, ignites us. That's the theme for this year's Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk happening on Sunday, October 20th.
The 2.5 mile walk will start at 8:30 in the morning at Armory Park. 1,800 people are signed up so far, and that already exceeds last year's count.
Organizers say they have raised about $124,000 so far, and they aren't done yet.
Denis Cournoyer, who has worked for the American Cancer Society for the last 18 years says, he has seen the difference this event makes on people’s lives.
“Since 1989 through 2017 breast cancer death rates have decreased by 40 percent. That's close to 370,000 people that have survived breast cancer,” added Cournoyer.
In fact, he believes the research funded, in part, by these annual walks contributes to these results.
“We have a goal of raising $200,000, and currently the website is showing about $124,000, he said.
He even took it a step further and assured the money raised by this event helps transform lives.
“The money we are raising with our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk will help fund research for breast cancer. It will provide rides for individuals who don't have the means to get to their treatment appointments. It could provide wigs, hats, or scarves for individuals who have the side effects of the chemo treatment, and it also provides resources for them to find out the best way for them to get through this process,” said Cournoyer.
He told KGUN9 these resources even helped his mother through her initial breast cancer fight, 19 years ago.
“I didn't know that she had gone to the local American Society in Rhode Island and got her wig and information diagnosis,” he stated.
Cournoyer says this walk is all about-- to help give those battling breast cancer opportunities to get help-- like his mother did, free of charge.
“Our goal is to make sure that whoever needs the American Cancer Society has access to us and can receive the same benefits whether they are in a rural area or in a metropolitan area,” said Cournoyer.
For more information on how you can get involved, click here.
