Battle Creek continues to rally around local breast cancer survivors and prevention efforts as Walk the Walk for Breast Cancer returns Sept. 26. The annual event supports the 5Cs Breast Cancer Fund, a community project connected to Encourage BC! through the Battle Creek Community Foundation.
A Calhoun County breast cancer survivor who has spent nearly two decades supporting others affected by the disease will serve as grand marshal for Walk the Walk, a community fundraiser and awareness event scheduled for Sept. 26 in Battle Creek.
Participants will gather for the annual walk and post-event celebration, according to a community announcement. Organizers said in the announcement that the event raises money for breast cancer education and prevention programs that serve Calhoun County residents.
Breast cancer survivor Diane Olian was selected as this year’s grand marshal. Organizers cited her long history of advocacy and support for survivors in the area.
The event begins with sign-in at 8:30 a.m. at Lucky Rooster, 1299 E. Columbia Ave. in Battle Creek. Walkers will start at 10 a.m. and travel to One Nation Tap & Table, 544 W. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek, where a community celebration will take place.
A midway stop will provide water and restroom facilities. Shuttle transportation will be available for participants who choose not to complete the full route and to return attendees to the starting location.
Those who want to participate may register individually or create a team through bccfoundation.fcsuite.com.
The finish-line celebration will include a bounce house, games, food and drinks, and is open to the public, whether or not they participate in the walk.
Survivor turned advocate
Olian was diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive breast cancer in November 2005. Treatment included a lumpectomy, bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy.
In January 2008, Olian founded the “One Day at a Time” Breast Cancer Survivors Group with help from a sibling and support from employer Bronson Health.
The group continues to meet monthly, providing survivors and their support networks with opportunities to share experiences, learn from one another and build connections.
“Being asked to serve as Grand Marshal is such an honor because I know what it means to have people beside you when you are facing breast cancer,” Olian said in the announcement. “For nearly 20 years, I’ve watched women find strength and hope in one another. To lead a walk filled with survivors, families, friends and an entire community standing together is incredibly meaningful to me.”
Olian said that new members often arrive seeking reassurance during a difficult period.
“You never know who may walk through those doors for the first time,” Olian said in the announcement. “They may be full of uncertainty and simply need someone to reassure them that they are going to make it through those tough days.”
Organizers said that commitment to helping others after her own diagnosis made Olian a fitting selection for the role.
“Diane embodies what Walk the Walk is about,” Angela Myers, of the Battle Creek Community Foundation, said in the announcement. “She took her own experience with breast cancer and turned it into nearly two decades of support, education and encouragement for others. Having her lead us this year is a powerful reminder that this work is ultimately about people, and about what can happen when a community shows up for one another.”
Event supports local education and prevention efforts
Walk the Walk was launched in 2023 through a partnership between Lucky Rooster and One Nation.
Organizers said that the event was created to build awareness about breast cancer while raising money that remains in Calhoun County for local education and prevention efforts.
“From the beginning, we wanted Walk the Walk to be more than a fundraiser,” Stephen Titus of One Nation said in the announcement. “We wanted people affected by breast cancer to see and feel their community standing behind them and help reduce the rates of breast cancer in Calhoun County. Diane has been creating that sense of community for survivors for years. There could not be a more fitting person to lead us as we work to make this our biggest and most impactful Walk the Walk yet.”
According to the announcement, 100% of funds raised through the event stay in Calhoun County. Organizers said in the announcement that Walk the Walk generated more than $70,000 for local breast cancer initiatives last year and hope to surpass that total this year.
Originally published by the Battle Creek Enquirer