50,000 Expected to Celebrate Mother's Day with a Special Event Walk

Looking for a special event to create even more Mother’s Day memories this year? The Y-ME Breast Cancer Organization hosts an annual “Walk to Empower” in 15 cities across the U.S. to create awareness for this important cause. More than 50,000 people are expected to make this a family event before heading to their yearly favorite brunch.

”It’s a very brief commitment,” says Liz Klug, director of special events for Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization in Chicago.”People spend just a few hours in the morning, and they leave inspired and with a real sense that they are making a difference in the lives of those who are touched by cancer.”

More than $7.2 million was raised from the walks around the country in 2007.

2008 marks the 30th anniversary for the Y-ME, whose mission is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone. This year, Los Angeles (CA), New Haven (CT) and Springfield (IL) chapters are holding an event for the first time, and Y-ME is projecting strong community support in each location.

Walk to Empower

Y-ME started this Mother’s Day tradition in 1991 when it organized its first walk in Chicago (which is known as “Race to Empower”). And in 2008, nearly 50,000 walkers from the following cities will participate in this Mother’s Day morning program:

• Atlanta, GA
• Chicago, IL
• Cleveland, OH
• Denver, CO
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• Miami, FL
• New Haven, CT
• Phoenix, AZ
• Sacramento, CA
• San Diego, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Springfield, IL
• Tulsa, OK
• Washington, DC

Mother’s Day Event Activities

The Walk to Empower events in each city will include a three-mile walk and local entertainment. In Chicago, the event also includes one-mile walk option and a 5K run.

Most events will include refreshments upon check-in, opening cerominies and a non-competitive walk. Those who raise $100 or more will receive a commemorative t-shirt, and fundraising prizes are also available to those $250 or more.

The Y-ME Mother’s Day Events are also support by members of the local and national business communities. And these sponsors provide free samples, coordinate activities and bring more value to the event, Klug explains.

In fact, in 2007, more than 2,100 corporate walking teams joined others to participate in the community events. Anyone who is interested in participating in the walk may register online or arrive with family member’s who are already signed up.

About Y-ME

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization's mission is to ensure, through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone. Y-ME has the only 24-hour hotline staffed entirely by trained breast cancer survivors. Additionally, 11 affiliates throughout the nation provide services such as support groups, early detection workshops, wigs and prostheses for women with limited resources, and advocacy on breast cancer related policies.

For breast cancer support or information including publications and newsletters, visit www.y-me.org or call the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Hotline at 1-800-221-2141 (English, with interpreters in 150 languages) or 1-800-986-9505 (Spanish).