Walk the Walk for Breast Cancer, which took place on September 27, for the first time recognized a parade Grand Marshall this year, long-time community advocate, Bridget Banks.
A Battle Creek native and resident, Banks founded the Pink Ribbon Sisterhood in 2015 as a way to meaningfully impact the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
This year is the tenth anniversary of the organization, which is supported by the 5Cs Breast Cancer Fund, a sub-fund of the Connecting Communities Cancer Control Coalition (5Cs) and a community project fund of Encourage BC!, through Battle Creek Community Foundation (BCCF).
Walk the Walk kicked off Breast Cancer Month festivities in downtown Battle Creek, with proceeds from the event underwriting breast cancer efforts in Calhoun County through the 5Cs, a group of individuals working together to reduce the cancer burden in Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties through community collaboration.
BCCF provides funding support to the 5Cs, and several BCCF members participated in the walk. Downtown Battle Creek restaurants, including Luck Rooster Kitchen and Cocktails and One Nation Tap & Table, are continuing to raise funds for the entire month of October, hoping to meet, if not exceed, last year’s $60,000 in donations.
“Bridget Banks creates impact in our community in so many ways,” says Angela Myers, BCCF Director of Corporate Compliance & Talent. It was a “no-brainer” to choose Banks as the Grand Marshall, she notes. “It was also great timing to recognize Pink Ribbon Sisterhood’s tenth anniversary, and honoring Bridget’s efforts in creating community connections through a common cause.”
Bridget Banks was inspired to start the Pink Ribbon Sisterhood after family members and friends were diagnosed with breast cancer.
“My aunt is a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed at a young age and today is a 40-year survivor,” Banks says. “I also had friends and two godmothers who had breast cancer, one of whom passed. The other lost her daughter to breast cancer.”
Ten years ago, Banks wanted to “celebrate survivors through a luncheon, attended by 100 people, including 50 breast cancer survivors,” she recalls. “The event was so successful, we just continued to grow our efforts year after year.”
Pink Ribbon Sisterhood received its first grant from BCCF and since then has championed the cause along with a dedicated, diverse group of volunteers, raising awareness, providing support and funding research toward finding a cure. Its walk will take place October 4th at the Kool Family Community Center and its 10th gala will occur that night at Battle Creek Country Club.
When Banks started the effort, she was one of four trying to raise awareness and funds. Today, there are at least 20 at the helm donating time and effort. Banks is especially focused on raising awareness across all populations in Battle Creek, acknowledging that some don’t prioritize early screenings like mammograms and breast exams, which her group has organized in churches across west Michigan.
She focuses on celebrating life and encouraging survivors to “never give up. They are going through a life transformation, and I want them to know that they are not alone on this journey,” she says.
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 8 American women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 1 in 43 will die from the disease.
This year, several special events were held in Battle Creek to raise awareness as well as generate donations for breast cancer education, preventative care, research and support.
“Encourage BC! and BCCF have been strong supporters of the 5Cs, and our team is actively involved in the Walk the Walk for Breast Cancer every year,” says Myers.
To learn more about the Pink Ribbon Sisterhood, including how to get involved, visit pinkribbonsisterhood.com.