The American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk was held at the Sarasota Polo Club.
By
Jessica Salmond
| 9:54 a.m. October 24, 2015
East County
Neighbors
Share
The Sarasota Polo Club grounds were splattered in pink this morning as hundreds of community groups and residents gathered for the 16th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk.
The Sarasota-Manatee event raises about $300,000 annually and supports local cancer patients through programs such as the Look Good Feel Better program, which provides them with free wigs, hats and makeup, and the Road to Recovery program, which provides transportation to appointments.
Brandon Scott, a Bradenton artist, created an original painting during the walk, which was raffled off after and the proceeds donated to the cause.
"I've had quite a few people affected by breast cancer in my life. I want to help out how I can," he said. "It's a beautiful thing for the community to put this together."
The walk began just after 9 a.m. with the survivors leading the charge.
Sarasota County Commissioner Carolyn Mason reads a proclamation with Tammy Lennox, the American Cancer Society community events manager.
Bradenton artist Brandon Scott makes a painting to be raffled.
Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore rallies the walkers before the event began.
Darlene Walters, Carol Tucker, Vicki Kerley and Carol Young with Trustworthy Homecare of Sarasota
Volunteer Mary Romines helps Sarasota resident Gwen Atkins check in.
Isabelle Speaks of Bradenton signs the Wall of Hope.
Kim Chevnich and Kim Mucmierz of Sarasota with Juan Palacios with Cox Chevrolet of Bradenton
Caryl Fossen, Sue Leblanc, Lisa Galvin, Kristen Cochran, Ali Samona, Aundra DeRosa and Aliesha Hill make up the "Lisa's Ladybugs" team for the East Surgery Center of Coastal Orthopedics.
Michelle Olivo, center, won the Ritz-Carlton drawing for a two-night stay. She's pictured here with Marcie McGeehan, left, and Tammy Lennox, right.
Cindy and Rylee Kuhus with Manatee Gynecology
Paige Levanti, Rebekah O'Carroll and Kaley De Leon from Riverview High School are keeping up with a tradition: they take a selfie every year with Fred Lopez, the food and beverage chairman for the walk.
Michelle Olivo, an Osprey resident, celebrates after winning the Ritz-Carlton of Sarasota drawing for a two-night stay on Amelia Island.
Alexandra Ferguson of Bradenton wore this shirt for her grandmother, who survived breast cancer twice, and for her mom, who also survived breast cancer.
Sunny Rife and Brittany and Danny Hillock with Koko Fit Club lead the morning warm-ups before the walk.
All the survivors in attendance took a photo together.
Mathew Stalowski, Andrea Brown and Isabel Stalowski with Tropicana pose with the Orange Man (played by Tim Sink).
Tanya Yaneva and Tony Johnsey from the Publix on Fruitville and Ashley Brito from the Publix on State Road 70 volunteered to field questions at the walk.
Tracy Legutko, Mark Carter and Lisa Kirkland with the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
