The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer NH 5-Mile Walk, a giant fundraiser held each fall in Concord to benefit the American Cancer Society, marked its 30th anniversary last weekend by doing what it does best – raising a lot of money.
Kathi Russ – a longtime Making Strides volunteer and a board member of the American Cancer Society New England – said that despite a markedly smaller field of walkers this year, donations had topped $500,000, and money will continue to be accepted through the last day of the year. A half-million dollars has served as a benchmark for Making Strides in recent years.
The event, once held by communities across the state, has been consolidated, meaning all 10 counties now gather annually at Memorial Field in Concord for the massive fundraiser.
It has yet to be determined if New Hampshire’s final dollar tally will be the best among all states based on the amount of money collected compared to the state’s population.
New Hampshire had gotten used to raising the most money per capita among cities across the country – reaching that mark at least eight times since the year 2000.
Russ said that due to COVID, participation this time was down, from 5,000 walkers in recent years to about 2,000 on Sunday, yet the dollar figure was not overtly affected.
“That was our heyday back then,” Russ said, “but now we’re building back.”
All money raised goes to the American Cancer Society, Russ said, and is funneled toward breast cancer research, crucial patient services, and education and prevention initiatives that have helped millions of people.
“It’s the spirit of the event,” Russ said. “People do what they can, time, money, sponsorship, and we have been incredibly successful in New Hampshire.”
This year, more than 200 survivors attended Sunday’s walk. They lined up on a flatbed truck for a group photo, part of the opening ceremony.
“I overheard someone speaking when they were taking the photo,” Russ said. “They said our stage area needs to be bigger.”
Cydney Dodge of Concord was a volunteer chairwoman for the cause 20 years ago and returned Sunday with her old title after working behind the scenes in recent months.
She’s felt cancer’s cruelty. Her mother, Donna Dodge, and sister, Sarah Dodge, were both diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1990s, about four years apart. Both died from it.
Sarah had been diagnosed the year before when she was asked to attend Making Strides in 1996. She spoke a few words of encouragement.
Two years later, in 1998, Cydney saw someone wearing a T-shirt at Memorial Field supporting Sarah, who died at the age of 26 earlier that year.
That was the impetus Cydney needed to build a team in her sister’s honor, and it remains part of the traditional scene that features long lines of walkers, wearing colorful attire and surrounded by colorful trees, making their way from Memorial Field through city streets.
“We are grateful for the incredible support and participation at Making Strides this year,” Dodge said. “The day was a success on many levels, including countless moments of caring, kindness, generosity and shared spirit, as people found meaning in the extraordinary day together.
The annual walks are held in more than 300 communities nationwide each October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Additional donations may be made online at www.makingstrideswalk.org/nh or checks can be sent to the American Cancer Society, attention MSABC NH, P.O. Box 10538, Bedford, NH 03110.