Dressed head-to-toe in pink, residents of Indian River Estates in Vero Beach, Florida, took part in the sixth annual one-mile Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
“We hold this event annually to honor a loved-one who had, or currently has, gone through breast cancer. We encouraged everyone to wear their pink and share who they were walking for,” said Robin Leatherow, the community’s fitness director.
With one in eight women now diagnosed with breast cancer, almost everyone knows someone affected by the disease. Leatherow is passionate about raising awareness and began the program soon after she joined Indian River Estates because she has three family members who are all breast cancer survivors.
Many residents at the walk were breast cancer survivors themselves, including Margie Coe who beat cancer six years ago. “It was a long, hard toll to get through. I had chemotherapy and radiation that same year, and sometimes on the same day. It was quite an experience, but you know, we’re survivors,” Coe said.
Indian River Estates offers two walking trails on its expansive campus. Residents can trek an outdoor mile loop around the East campus with scenic views of the lakes, and an indoor half-mile path on its West campus. Both trails have signage with “Walk for Wellness” to guide residents.
“I think I’ve made it to every Breast Cancer walk we’ve had. We enjoy getting together and the camaraderie. It’s always well attended,” she added. The community’s culinary team created delicious pink cupcakes and served refreshing strawberry water to walkers who attended this year’s event.
