14th Walk against Breast Cancer Sunday, October 16

This year’s Walk Against Break Cancer steps off at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2016 from the Congregational Church Green, 725 Washington Street in Holliston. The event, which draws several hundred each year and benefits Dana Farber, will be a 5K this year, with a route change.
“On the Holliston Rail Trail, there is a bench in honor of Maryellen Miller (one of the walk founders and personal fighter of breast cancer, who passed away eight years ago from the disease),” says Jayne Jones, one of the event planners. “There was always some thought in our minds, wouldn’t it be great If we could walk by that bench. How could we make it work?” This year, along with the help of the Holliston Auxiliary Police and committee member Kathy Chisolm, says Jayne, the walk was altered to make it happen.
“We will start our walk as always from the Church Green, making our way up Hollis St, and then taking a new 5K route that will include a part of the rail trail and a stroll past Maryellen’s bench before returning to the Church Green,” says Jones. “So we’re really excited about the change. Plus, that rail trail is so awesome! It’ll be fall, and it will be such a pretty way to utilize it.”
Although walk numbers have not grown in awhile, the Walk Against Breast Cancer began, Jones attributes this to a rise in the overall number of this type of fundraiser. There’s more variety of events to get involved with, and that’s a good thing, suggests Jones. Since the Walk began, the event has raised over half a million dollars for Dana Farber, with 100% of proceeds going to the cause.
“We still think it’s valuable,” says Jones, who is happy so many events take place. “Part of the essence of why we started the walk was not only to raise money, but also community awareness,” says Jones.
In addition to pledges by walkers, the event raises funds thanks to the generosity of local businesses and individuals, who donate items for the silent auction and gift baskets. Committee member Katie Connors handles those donations and is always looking for a new service or gift to add to the grand prize drawing or silent auction. She can be reached at connors.kate@gmail.com. Even non-walkers can take part in the silent auction or gift basket chances, with suggested donations
1 for $5, 3 for $10, 8 for $20 (Best Deal!). Donations for these opportunities of chance will be taken starting at 11:30 a.m.
Jones points out that local businesses continue to be generous, donating items and sponsoring the event, when many of them are repeatedly asked to do so by various causes.
Sponsor levels include a Banner Sponsorship, at $1,000 or more, Bridge Banner for $500 or more, a Pink Ribbon Sponsorship for $350 or a Walk Partner Sponsor at $175.
You can register at for the Holliston Walk Against Breast Cancer at Hollistonwalks.org, with minimum donation of $100 adults, $50 students and seniors, with family cap of $250 (immediate family members only).
All of the proceeds from this walk go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Not only does the money raised pay for patient care, but it also goes to research scientists who need money to run preliminary tests in order to get backers. The organization was chosen, says Jones, “because Maryellen had such a good experience that she was really passionate about earmarking money raised for breast cancer research and patient care.”
For more information on Holliston’s Walk Against Breast Cancer, visit www.hollistonwalks.org.