‘You can heal’: Survivors join thousands for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk

Thousands of people dressed in pink gathered in downtown Jacksonville on Saturday for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, honoring survivors and raising money for breast cancer research and patient services.

More than 13,000 people turned out at VyStar Ballpark for this year’s three-mile walk, which started at Georgia and Duval streets. Participants raised roughly $390,000 for breast cancer research.

Among them was 83-year-old Joane Pankey, a two-time cancer survivor, who danced to music along the route.

“I am a stone-cold survivor. And I believe you can heal,” Pankey said.

Pankey said hearing a cancer diagnosis can be scary, but it’s important to keep fighting.

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“No, you’re not going to die. Take the treatments. Believe in God. Believe in yourself and you will live. Believe me,” she said.

Kat Braswell, a recent breast cancer survivor, said events like the walk remind people with a diagnosis that they are not alone. They can also connect people to resources and support groups, she said.

“Doing things like this, coming out to events like this just touches so many lives in countless ways,” Braswell said.

The American Cancer Society estimates roughly 320,000 women have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.

Pankey said good support systems are in place for patients.

“They got stuff that’s easier now than when I started out. And that was 40 years ago,” Pankey said.

Those who could not attend the walk but want to donate can do so here.

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