Walk On! TBBCF getting ready for October annual fundraiser
By KATHLEEN EDGECOMB
The Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation’s 18th annual Walk for a Cure is still months away so there’s plenty of time to train for the walking marathon, scheduled for Oct. 7, 2023.
“We are excited to be in full force for this year’s walk,” said Carley Warzecha, the 2023 walk chair. “We have some big goals.”
Walking and volunteering is a good way to give back to those in the community who are affected by breast cancer, she said, adding that the foundation gives 100 percent of its fundraising dollars to breast cancer research. To date, the foundation has raised $6 million.
In addition to walkers gearing up on their own for the 26.2-mile event, the foundation is hosting two training sessions for participants to meet other walkers and limber up those calf muscles.
The first session is Sep.10 in Old Saybrook. Walkers will meet at 7 a.m. at Old Saybrook Point Inn parking to start an 18-mile loop. The second training walk will be held Sept. 23 in Mystic. The start, at 7 a.m., is Mystic River Park for a 20-mile loop around the Mystic River. Water and snacks will be offered along the routes.
All are welcome. For more information and to sign up for the training walks, contact [email protected]. The week before the training walks an email will be sent to walkers to RSVP.
The full marathon starts in Old Saybrook and ends at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford. For those who find it too daunting to walk a full marathon, there’s a half marathon, which starts at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme and a quarter marathon, which begins in downtown Niantic. At the finish line at Harkness, a family friendly 5K will feature a path around the park.
The foundation is also looking for volunteers to help with the walk, which is held rain or shine. People are needed for the medical team, the hydration team and traffic and safety. Volunteers are also needed for the 5K event and with closing ceremonies.
Registration for the walk is also easier this year. The new platform, Pledge It, is very user-friendly making it easier to sign up for any of the walks. The platform automatically sets up a fundraising page when you register. Volunteers can also sign up on Pledge It. Information is available at https://tbbcf.org/tbbcf-walk