October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as in years past, the Ross Medical Education Center campus in Ontario, Ohio decided to participate in the Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk in Mansfield, Ohio. On a chilly Saturday in the middle of the month, several students and staff bundled up and braved the cold weather to walk for a cause that is near and dear to their hearts. Breast cancer affects many families and individuals, but the campus also walks for their Assistant Campus Director of Education, Michelle Barker. Michelle is an 18 year breast cancer survivor and a hero at the campus.
The Making Strides Against Cancer Walk of Mansfield is an annual 5k. Every year it seems to grow, and this year they had over 1200 walkers! Ross Admissions Representative, Janell Yorkowitz, said regarding her desire to participate in the walk, “it’s a great way to represent Ross and to connect with the community.” Many of the students and staff also walked in part for Michelle Barker and their friends and family members that have fought against breast cancer. For many of the students, staff, and faculty, the meaning behind this walk hits home.
To add even a little more motivation this year, Janell Yorkowitz, Admissions Representative in Ontario, created a friendly challenge between the classes as to who could raise the most money to donate. The goal was $500 between all the classes, but in the end the campus blew that away by raising $663! The winner of the challenge was the Ontario Pharmacy Technician class who decided to celebrate their victory with a pizza party. However the big winners of this contest will be the American Cancer Society when they receive the $663 raised by the Ontario campus as well as all the donations from the local event.
To find out more about the American Cancer Society and how you can help out in the fight against cancer, visit the American Cancer Society Facebook page or website at www.cancer.org.