Although a dreary morning was forecasted for a recent Saturday with a high of 39 degrees and freezing rain, that didn’t stop the faculty and staff from Ross Medical Education Center in Cincinnati, Ohio from showing their community support. The Ross Community in Cincinnati came together with smiles and enthusiasm in support of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of Greater Cincinnati. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is an annual fundraising 5k event that supports the American Cancer Society and their contribution to the community in awareness, treatment, and research in Breast Cancer.
This year’s event was held at Yeoman’s Cove, a downtown riverfront park in Cincinnati. The park was flooded with thousands of participants of this walk. Because of how many people joined in the event, their presence created a sea of pink. “There were groups of supporters and survivors united under one cause, and we could feel the fellowship and support in the air,” shared Christen Dolan, Career Services Student Support Representative. “The scenic walk created a figure eight that crossed the Ohio River on the Purple People Bridge, through Newport on the Levee in Kentucky, and back through the Banks of Cincinnati which is home to the stadiums, arenas, and treasured landmarks of the city.”
Although the Ross team is always passionate about raising awareness within the healthcare community, breast cancer has directly affected the Cincinnati Ross family. The team for the walk consisted of Mike Hirsch and Christen Dolan from Career Services and Instructors Shawna Banks and Angel Lenzer from the Cincinnati Dental Assistant program. The team was led by Lead Instructor Patricia Christos of the Cincinnati Medical Assistant program. As a team, they completed the 5K walk in support and appreciation of their Office Assistant, Kimberly Oswald, who is currently battling breast cancer. Kimberly is an invaluable member of the Ross Cincinnati team and she goes out of her way to ensure the students feel welcome on campus each and every day.