Cancer walk now open to community
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

Jackson

JACKSON - The first township-wide Walk for the Cure will makes its debut on Oct. 8, rain or shine, at Johnson Park, Manhattan Street and South Cooks Bridge Road.

"It's almost impossible to find someone who has not [had a relative or friend] touched by breast cancer, in one way or another," said Barbara Spielman, the Westlake Women's Club co-chair for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Walk for the Cure. "Maybe it's our mothers, our daughters, our aunts or maybe it's one of our best friends."

Spielman said she and the other members of the Westlake Women's Club want residents to come out and join in a day of celebrating life, as well as remembering those who have succumbed to the disease.

The Walk for the Cure has previously been held only in the Westlake community. This year the organizers decided to make it an event that would be open to everyone in Jackson.

More than 100 residents of the Four Seasons at Metedeconk will be among the residents joining the walk.

"Because of the enormous success of the Westlake walk, the women's club

wanted to reach out to the entire Jackson community and enlist their support for this event," Spielman said. "The Jackson schools were instrumental in helping us raise almost $61,000 for the Komen Foundation in last year's walk. We couldn't have done it without those kids."

The Oct. 8 walk at Johnson Park will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m. for those people who are not pre-registered. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 11:15 a.m., to be followed by a warm-up session with Anne Clark Fitness Training. The walk is scheduled to begin between 11:45 a.m. and noon.

"We are hoping to kick off the actual walk as close to noon as possible, but since this is our first time involving the entire community, we're just a little bit unsure of ourselves," said Adele Hartman, co-chair. "It definitely is a learning experience."

Hartman said she is thankful for the support the walk has received from local businesses, community groups, nonprofit organizations, residential communities and so many others. She said it is exciting and uplifting to realize just how generous the people of Jackson and surrounding communities can be.

In addition to the walk, there will be food vendors and, for children, pony rides, a petting zoo and face-painting.

"We are hoping our walkers will bring their entire family so everyone can get involved and enjoy the day," said Joyce Kahn, co-chair.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died at the age of 36. The organization raises funds to eradicate breast cancer by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.

For further information about the walk and to download an entry application for the Walk for the Cure, visit the Internet Web site www.westlakejacksonbcwalk.com or call (732) 276-2216. The fee for the walk is $20, which is a donation. Children walk for free.

For breast health information visit the Internet Web site at www.Komen.org.