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Walking for awareness Darrell Greer Northern News Services Published Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The cold and blustery weather did nothing to chill the determination of the walkers, as they paraded through their community to encourage all residents, especially women, to learn more about breast cancer and the steps people can take to help prevent it. Their cause is a more-than-worthy one, as it's estimated 23,400 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, of whom 5,100 will succumb to the disease. On average, 64 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every day. And 14 women die from the disease every day. Men are also hit by this killer, with 190 estimated to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. Fifty-five of them will die in the first year of diagnosis. Coral's Breast Cancer Awareness Day was the brainchild of Jody Ningeocheak, who planned and organized the event. Rhoda Paliak-Angootealuk helped spread the word throughout the community on the special day, including going on local community radio to inform residents about the event. Paliak-Angootealuk said the community walk got underway at about 2 p.m. on Oct. 2. She said the participants started their awareness trek at the hamlet office and walked all the way to Coral's welcome to the community sign. "The participants who took part in the walk during Breast Cancer Awareness Day simply wanted people to become more aware of the disease," said Paliak-Angootealuk. "We also wanted to walk for everyone who has lost a loved one to cancer. "Northern store staff member Alison Vardy was nice enough to open her apartment for everyone to come in for some hot chocolate, or just to get warmed up after taking part in the walk. "This was the first walk and Breast Cancer Awareness Day I can recall ever being held in Coral, but we're hoping to see more of these events held here in the future!"
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