Nov. 9, 2006

WASHINGTON, D.C. - More than 5,000 people joined together on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Oct. 22 for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which raised $325 thousand for breast cancer initiatives. The George Mason women's track and field team did their part to support the cause by serving as volunteers at the event, in addition to making a donation to the American Cancer Society.

After gathering at the site of the walk (3rd St. and Madison Dr.) at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 22, the team served as course marshals at the event, with members of the team stationed at various points around the five-mile course to direct walkers of the correct direction to walk.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a noncompetitive walk supporting the American Cancer Society's unique mission to fight cancer on four fronts: research, education, advocacy and patient services. As the nation's largest nongovernmental breast cancer research supporter, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $290 million since 1972 to give those touched by breast cancer more reasons for hope.

Since 1993, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has been the American Cancer Society's premier event to raise awareness and dollars to fight breast cancer. To date, three million walkers have raised more than $194 million through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. In 2005, more than 400,000 walkers across the country collected $34 million. For more information about the event or how to make a donation, visit the official Web site at http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/washingtondc.