POINT PLEASANT BEACH – The energy that resonated through a sea of pink at a recent kickoff event will carry to the shoreline on October 19, when thousands of people come together for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.
The day will begin at the corner of Ocean and Arnold Avenues, where streets will be closed off to make room for the waves of walkers dressed in pink. More than just a scenic walk, the event represents one of the American Cancer Society’s top fundraising efforts in the country, consistently placing Point Pleasant Beach among the nation’s leaders.
Just last year, the Ocean County walk placed fourth in dollars raised, bringing in more than $1.2 million. Across the country, more than 150 Making Strides events raise tens of millions of dollars annually.
At the kickoff event at the Sheraton in Eatontown, supporters gathered inside a ballroom filled with informational booths and decorated with banners in varying shades of pink. Each booth carried its own message, but together they formed a comprehensive picture of what it means to fight breast cancer. Volunteers shared materials on early detection, distributed literature about scheduling mammograms, and explained programs available for patients and their families. Survivors shared their journeys at several stations, offering encouragement and real-world advice for those newly diagnosed.
Disparities in breast cancer outcomes were among the issues discussed as participants visited the booths. The American Cancer Society is currently studying the unique perspective of Black women and how to improve their overall health.
Dr. Tanya Randall, herself a 20-year breast cancer survivor, and ambassador for the Voices of Black Women study explained. “Although cancer rates may be lower in Black women, the death rates are higher,” she said. “This study is about getting the full picture. It’s decades-long, and it’s crucial.”
Cheryl Tornquist Lombardo Citron, who described herself as health care professional, described when she discovered she had breast cancer. It was 26 years ago, and she was just 33, with two young children.
“There was a hair in my pajamas,” she said. “It tickled and there was a lump. And as crazy as it sounds, at that moment, in my soul, I knew I had cancer.”
Citron described her journey treating an aggressive form of cancer that began with mastectomy, chemotherapy and several subsequent surgeries. Many in the audience nodded their heads, understanding she was not only telling her story. It was theirs as well.
Stories like Citron’s offered more than inspiration. They serve as reminders that research dollars, fundraising walks, and community advocacy translate into real lives saved. Her experience underscored why American Cancer Society programs and research matter so deeply.
Behind the pink ribbons and inspirational chants lies a network of services made possible by fundraising. Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested more than $5 billion in cancer research and currently funds over 620 active research grants nationwide.
“We are an organization that is 112 years old,” said Jen Lefthand, the Senior Executive Director of the American Cancer Society in New Jersey. “We are the only organization that integrates research, advocacy, and patient support to fight cancer.”
The American Cancer Society provides free lodging at Hope Lodge facilities near treatment centers, offers rides to chemotherapy through Road to Recovery, and staffs a 24/7 hotline for patients and families.
Newer initiatives include Leadership In Oncology Navigation (LION), which helps hospitals create sustainable patient navigation systems, and ACS ACTS, a program linking patients with clinical trials and providing support for lodging and transportation.
“Too often people don’t know about these resources until the day of diagnosis,” Lefthand said. “That’s why events like this matter. They spread the word that no one has to go through cancer alone.”
Making Fundraising Fun
While the October walk is the centerpiece, fundraising is a year-round effort fueled by creativity.
Team leaders shared some of their most successful ideas at the kickoff. Some have raffled off lottery scratch-off tickets, while others have set up mini-golf tournaments, where entry fees and prizes all benefit the cause. Others have put together themed parties like “Pinko de Mayo” and Kentucky Derby nights.
Corporate sponsors also play a vital role. New Jersey Natural Gas organizes competitive soup and chili cook-offs, while Finished Basements, a new sponsor, leveraged its million-strong social media following to raise over $10,000 in its first year.
“It all comes down to community,” said one team leader. “Whether it’s five dollars or five hundred, every donation fuels research and gives patients more hope.”
Join The Movement
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of Point Pleasant Beach begins with registration at 8 a.m. on October 19. Warm-ups and pre-walk festivities start at 9 a.m., followed by the walk itself at 10 a.m.
Participants can expect music, survivor recognition, and a shared sense of purpose that stretches from the boardwalk to the waves crashing alongside it.
For Ocean and Monmouth County residents, this walk is more than tradition. It is proof that when communities unite, they can make a national impact – one step, one dollar, and one story at a time.
To learn more, form a team, or donate, visit the official Making Strides Against Breast Cancer – Point Pleasant Beach event page at secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=110855.
