MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER 2023

Did you know that in 2023 alone, approximately 290,650 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer? Currently, there are over 4 million breast cancer survivors living in the US today and more than 150,000 breast cancer patients living with metastatic disease. For women in the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer, aside from skin cancers, and it’s estimated that in 2023, 43,700 women will die from this disease that is far too common. 

These statistics are reported by the American Cancer Society, an organization recognized as a leader in research and its dedication to ending breast cancer. Over the past three decades, the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) campaign has united communities, companies, and individuals and has grown into the nation’s largest and most impactful breast cancer movement. Starting in 1993, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign has funded $80 million of breast cancer research. Thanks to the research, donations, and the decades of work done by this organization, today, a breast cancer diagnosis does not come without hope and the breast cancer journey is not one that has to be traveled alone. 

With a continuing commitment to an over-100-year legacy of caring, Chevrolet is a proud supporter of the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program. For 13 years in a row, dealerships like Berger Chevrolet, employees, and customers have contributed $1.9 million just in 2022 and over $18.7 million to the cause so far. Chevy and its community are dedicated to helping make it so that no one, whether it be the 4 million survivors, those currently fighting, the 290,560 people who will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year, or the caregivers and support systems, will have to face breast cancer by themselves. 

Chances are, you have at least one person in your life who is or has been diagnosed with breast cancer. In our opinion, that’s one too many! That’s why we invite you to join us in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Each year in October, the American Cancer Society hosts the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in over 150 communities across the nation. This event is a celebration of courage and hope, a movement uniting communities to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone. For three decades, these 3- to 5-mile non-competitive walks have provided a supportive community for courageous breast cancer survivors and metastatic breast cancer thrivers, caregivers, and families alike. And guess what? The movement is coming to our very own neighborhood, Grand Rapids, Michigan! Presented by Gun Lake Casino, Grand Rapids will host its own Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday, October 21st at Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.

So what can you do to participate and join the fight against breast cancer? Sign up for Making Strides! When you sign up you can choose to lead a team, join an existing team, or walk solo, either way, you’re making a difference. No matter how you choose to join, the next step is to recruit your friends and family to walk with you! More people means more power to end breast cancer. As soon as you’re signed up you can start raising money! Download the FUNdraising app to easily share your donation link with friends and family, and track both your team and your personal fundraising goals. All donations will go to lifesaving funds that support breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers, and caregivers through every step of the journey. Donations have allowed for innovation like the American Cancer Society’s enhanced digital offerings available to anyone across the nation. Innovations like one-on-one breast cancer patient support services and the use of video chat to safely connect patients, caregivers, and family members with valuable services and resources through their website, in addition to a 24/7 helpline. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is more than just a walk! Each step you take is a step towards building community, saving lives, and providing comfort and hope for a future that ends breast cancer. 

Can’t partake in the walk? That doesn’t mean you still can’t be a part of the movement! Donate to your friends and family who are participating or head to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer’s website to donate directly. Your money is making a difference! By donating you are investing in breast cancer research to better understand, prevent, locate, and treat the disease. You’re also supporting breast cancer patients directly. Funds help to provide free rides to chemo appointments, free places to stay near hospitals, a live 24/7 cancer helpline and so much more! And last but not least, you’re helping to fund education and prevention. Early detection is key and by spreading awareness and ways to self-examine, we can help reduce the number of people at risk for breast cancer. 

Another way you can get involved is by joining Chevy in their #WeDriveFor campaign. You don’t have to go far to show your support to end breast cancer, just the click of a button and you can help raise money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. For every post shared in October on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok using the hashtag #WeDriveFor, Chevrolet will contribute five dollars to the American Cancer Society until they have reached their $170,000 goal. So help Chevy reach their target by sharing who you drive for because when we drive together, we can make a difference! 

Whatever you are able to do to support Breast Cancer Awareness, do it loud and do it proud! Share posts, links to donate, or how you are getting involved to let those who are fighting know that they are not alone. When we come together as a community great things happen because we are the movement, we are the hope, and we are the future.

Visit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for more statistics and information on how you can get involved. The state of Michigan currently has five walks planned in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, Detroit, Saginaw, Rochester, and Ann Arbor. Not finding a city near you? Enter your zip code into Making Strides Against Breast Cancer to join the movement closest to you.

Berger Chevy employees taking a group photo in Breast Cancer Awareness apparel