The University participated in the 19th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 21 in Flushing Meadows Corona Park to help raise funds for breast cancer research.
This is St. John’s 14th year participating in the walk, according to Assistant for Community Relations Margaret Cashin. The University has raised $15,400 of its $27,000 goal, Cashin said.
Cashin, who has helped organize every walk the University has participated in, said the scene the morning of the walk has always been hectic. “It’s always crazy here,” Cashin said.
Students participating in the walk donated $10 to the American Cancer Society and stood in line to receive their team t-shirts and waited for transportation to the park from the Law School cafeteria.
Hundreds of St. John’s students and staff were present to support the cause and raise money.
Senior Arielle Castillo said this was her third time walking. She attended the event with four sisters from her sorority Theta Phi Alpha and said she is walking for the members of her family who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Brian Matuszewski, an accounting major, said he was fortunate enough to not be personally affected by cancer but participated as his way of donating to the cause and get a little exercise, too.
The University was represented by Vice President for Community Relations Joseph Sciame. “I think that it’s really a learning experience,” he said. “We can all fight cancer together.”
Events to help raise funds towards breast cancer research have been taking place since the beginning of the month. The first St. John’s “Living Ribbon of Hope” was created to create awareness for the walk.
Male students participated in the “High-Heel-A-Thon” an annual event where runners lap around the Great Lawn while wearing high heels.
The American Cancer Society recognized the University’s achievements in fundraising for cancer research by awarding them the American Cancer Society’s 2012 College of Excellence Award for collecting more than $80,000 last year. The University was the first school in the New York Metropolitan area to receive the award.
