By rssfeeds-admin Thousands gathered in downtown Augusta for the annual Miracle Mile Walk—an event that’s been raising awareness and funds for local breast cancer care for the past 25 years. Organizers say at least 10,000 people joined this year’s walk to honor survivors, support those still fighting, and remember loved ones lost to the disease.
Anne Catherine Murray, Executive Director of Philanthropy for the Piedmont Augusta Foundation, says the event continues to provide life-saving screenings across the region.
“We’ve been raising money to fund mammograms for women in our community who are under or uninsured,” Murray said.
“We have a 25-county area in Georgia and South Carolina, either through our mobile mammography unit or in our breast health center, making sure that women get access to those life-saving mammograms.”
Murray said at least $350,000 has been raised to support local breast health services. Behind every dollar and every step are stories of strength, survival, and remembrance.
Breast cancer survivor Tamika Cook says this year marks 24 years since her diagnosis.
“It just reminds me that as a woman, you have to be your own self-advocate,” she said.
Others, like Linda Wright, walk in memory of loved ones.
“My mom died five years ago of cancer,” Wright said. “I always come to the walk to honor her.”
For Phillis Scott, who was diagnosed at just 16 years old, she urges young women to be tested for it.
And while breast cancer primarily affects women, men can also be at risk. Cecil Herrin, a survivor and Catalyst for Men’s Cancer Awareness at Augusta University, says his heart doctor helped save his life in 2011.
“She’s the one that got me a mammogram,” Herrin said.
“They told me I had breast cancer, and on January 17, they removed my breast.”
The walk may be over, but donations can still be made to the Piedmont Augusta Foundation to help fund mammograms and other breast health services throughout the CSRA.
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