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In the morning mist thousands of walkers decked out in pink shirts, hats, wigs and feathered boas made their way to the starting line.  The American Cancer Society (ACS) Making Strides Against Breast Cancer charity walk was underway and a large Southwestern College team was walking the walk.

“One step closer to a world with less cancer and more birthdays,” was the event’s motto.

SWC Professor of Health Science Valerie Goodwin-Colbert, an advocate for women’s health and rights, took the lead in organizing an SWC team. Players from the Jaguar softball team, Puente Project students and director Sylvia Felan-Gonzales, Governing Board President Tim Nader, and many other students, staff and faculty laced up walking shoes.  Last year the SWC team was one of many to receive a Blue Ribbon award for raising more than $1,000. Goodwin-Colbert said she is passionate about her involvement in the walk.

“A small little pebble of sand on the beach is still one more voice,” she said.

Goodwin-Colbert said that the first year the team took part in the walk it rained. Despite the weather, most team members showed up.

“People who have cancer go though a lot more than just walking in the rain,” she said.  “As soon as you say cancer, the C word, people assume that you’re going to die. I think we need to get through that mentality. We are here to battle it.”

SWC Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members were also there. President Christina Gutierrez said the experience was unforgettable.

“There were so many people all of different ages and genders coming together for one cause,” said Gutierrez. “It was magical seeing so much pink! I also loved seeing kids walking for their moms, grandmothers, aunts. It made it worthwhile.”

Breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women.  About 232,600 new cases will be diagnosed in women in the United States this year and 2,140 in men.

Bobbing in the sea of pink was ACS volunteer Stacy Matseas, whose efforts and commitment to promote breast cancer awareness earned her the title of No. 1 National Fundraiser for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Her organization, Stacy’s Circle of Friends, the only non-corporate sponsor of the event, raised more than $127,000 this year, beating out corporate-sponsored teams like Waxie Sanitary Supply, Qualcomm and Cymer, Inc.  Since its inception in 2000, Stacy’s Circle of Friends has raised an estimated $1.3 million.

After her childhood friend was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago, Matseas said she participated in her first Making Strides event as a way to turn feelings of helplessness and anger to empowerment.

“It brings me some of the greatest joy to witness other people realize their own abilities by seeing what I have been able to accomplish,” she said.  “It’s their efforts that are causing the difference to happen.”

Nearly 30,000 registrants attended the San Diego leg of Making Strides, a 4-mile walk that looped through Balboa Park.  High-school cheerleaders, volunteers and spectators hollered words of encouragement from the sidelines and gave out high fives. At the finish line walkers were met by live music and refreshments. Making Strides organizers announced that this year’s event raised more than $800,000.

“It’s not over today,” Matseas said. “We need to think about promoting awareness as often as we can and help in any way we can.”

That would tickle Matseas pink.