Think Pink

By: Valerie Mehl
Date: December 1, 2009

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

They trudged through pouring rain, but the Johns Hopkins “pink-scrub cheerleaders,” said it was worth it, bringing home $850,000 for the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.

As breast health educator Debby Stewart stood on stage with Breast Cancer Program co-director Saraswati Sukumar awaiting the check presentation, she saw the Hopkins contingency, 30-members strong, at the front of the crowd.

"Our team of rain - soaked members wwas right in front wearing their pink dripping wet cowboy hats and cheering and applauding. It was quite a moment," says Stewart.

The Breast Center walkers and their supporters contributed more than $96,000 towards the $6.8 million raised during the 2009 annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, D.C. More than $4 million in grants were awarded to six local organizations, including the Kimmel Cancer Center, to advance access to care and breast cancer research.