Breast Cancer is the second most common cancer in women with 1 in 8 women being diagnosed at some point in their life. It is the second leading cause of death among women in the United States, and while breast cancer is rare in men, approximately 2,150 men are diagnosed every year. Contrary to popular belief, 85% of breast cancer patients are women who have no family history of breast cancer. In 2015, an estimated 231,840 cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed and 40,290 deaths due to breast cancer in the United States alone. Early detection the key to successful treatment and will give patients the highest chances of survival.

Although there are many non-profit organizations that raise money to help prevent and cure breast cancer, some of the most well-known foundations are the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation gives the donated money to 200 researchers around the world to fund their studies and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation even posts their financial reports on their website so that supporters can see exactly where their money is going.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place in October and is an annual campaign meant to increase awareness of the disease. Many of the sports teams at Madison High School participate in spirit days such as “pink out” to show support and raise awareness. Even though the season is not during October,  the boys and girls basketball teams hold a night game to raise money and collect donations for Breast Cancer Awareness every year. They collect money from ticket sales, t-shirt sales, and bake sales, all of which is given to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Other donations can be made online, through the mail, or by calling any breast cancer organization and asking to talk to a representative about a donation. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation even allows people to brainstorm and start new fundraisers of their own.

MDO sat down with senior Taylor Camp to talk about the Avon Breast Cancer Walk. The Avon Breast Cancer Walk took place in New York City over a two day period. The walk was 39.3 miles.

MDO: How did you get involved in the walk?

TC: “I found out about the event through my mom, who has been a participant in the walk for the last four years.”

MDO: “Why did you decide to do the walk this year?”

TC: “I decided to take part in this walk because I felt like I never really accomplished anything big in my life, and it’s my senior year in high school and I wanted to do something special. I also know living breast cancer survivors and people who have died from breast cancer so I wanted to do something to honor these people.”

MDO: “Who did you walk in memory of?”

TC: “When walking, the majority of people wear bibs that say ‘My Avon 39 is For’ and you write  who you are dedicating your walk to. On my bib I wrote ‘everyone’ because breast cancer has affected everyone in some way and I want to help get closer to finding a cure to this disease.”

MDO: “How much money was raised by the event?”

TC: “Each participant was required to raise a minimum of $1800 to walk in the event. The grand total that was raised by the NYC participants was $8.7 million.”

On Thursday, October 22, the Madison Dodger Online staff held a bake sale after school. The bake sale raised over $180, and all proceeds have been donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.