OCEAN CITY — Thousands of participants are expected to traverse the Ocean City Boardwalk on Sunday, Oct. 12, during the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
The Sentinel spoke to one of the volunteers who had the painful first-hand experience of fighting and beating cancer and now advocates for the Making Strides walk and for convincing women to get mammograms.
Making Strides is timed for October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which the American Cancer Society helped launch 40 years ago in 1985 and has used to boost awareness and save lives.
Last year’s event featured more than 5,000 walkers and 175 cancer “survivors and thrivers,” had 18 event sponsors and raised more than $525,000.
The event takes place 8:30 a.m. to noon with a 9:45 am. Survivor Celebration at the Ocean City Civic Center at the boardwalk end of Sixth Street, between Ocean City High School’s Carey Stadium and the public parking lot on Fifth Street by the boardwalk.
The walk begins at 10 a.m.
Walkers help raise money by getting sponsors. Many come with their own groups of friends, relatives and other supporters. (Go online to https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=strides_msabc then enter 08226 to find the registration for the Ocean City, N.J., walk.)
There are many activities during the morning in addition to the walk and celebration. They include a Survivor & Thriver Tent with activities, pictures on a giant pink chair and other photo opportunities, sponsor tents and giveaways.
It is a time to create memories with loved ones and make a difference in the fight against breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
A volunteer who
wants to give back
Cindy Rosmini got involved with the American Cancer Society after battling breast cancer. She is a volunteer, serves on the planning committee and has a fundraising team taking part.
“The real reason and main reason I volunteer is because I am a breast cancer survivor,” she said. “For me it is a way to give back to the community.”
The Washington Township woman has even closer connections, having lived in Northfield for a few years and her family had a trailer at a campground just outside Ocean City for a decade.
“When I was sick, the American Cancer Society was such a great resource for me,” she said, providing material, wigs and just people to talk to. “So you know, it’s just very dear to my heart.”
Rosmini is closing in on the six-year anniversary of the end of her treatment. She credits a routine mammogram for discovering her cancer.
“I was one of the lucky ones,” she said.
Because her grandmother had breast cancer, Rosmini had been faithfully getting routine mammograms since she was 35.
The mammogram detected it. Even before doing the biopsy it was recommended she get in touch with a surgeon.
She works in marketing for an agency that does health care design; one of the firm’s clients is Penn Medicine.
“I aways said if something happened and I got cancer, I’m going to Penn Medicine. I knew their advancements in technology,” she said. So, when she was diagnosed, that’s where she went for treatment. “They were awesome,” she noted.
Rosmini said she didn’t want to talk about her cancer at first, but she got involved with the American Cancer Society in 2020.
“And then I was like, why shouldn’t I be talking about it? Right? I have a good story and if I can help people, that’s what I want to do,” she said. “I tried to be like a patient advocate, to talk to patients that have similar diagnoses.”
She has been helping on the walk committee for the past couple of years. Asked why people should take part in Making Strides, Rosmini said, “It’s an absolutely great cause. It’s a wonderful event for survivors, people going through their (cancer) journey now.
“It’s just an honor to be there,” she added, especially “if you’re lucky enough to be on the other side as a survivor.”
Rosmini said it’s also exciting to be on the boardwalk amid all of the enthusiasm and support.
“There’s just so much energy around that day, and it’s very emotional, but at the same time, it’s so rewarding. Anyone who is going through the journey or is a survivor, or even a caregiver, or knows someone (affected by breast cancer), I think it’s just a great day to honor them.”
Does Rosmini regularly advocate for routine mammograms?
“Absolutely. 100 percent. Oh, my gosh. I think my friends and my family are tired of hearing me pushing them to do that.”
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
