This article was originally published on Travel Freak and is republished here with permission.
In the wake of the announcement that Angelina Jolie recently underwent a double mastectomy (and will soon have both of her ovaries removed) to lower her chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer, we’ve started thinking about how we can contribute to the fight against cancer. True to form, it took a major celebrity’s health scare to get us thinking about the lives of others and our own mortality.
Giving money is great, but A) we don’t have any and B) it seems so impersonal. However, we’re more than happy to get friends, family, and random strangers to pledge their own money as we join one of the several cancer walks around the U.S. coming up. Want to join us in hoofin’ it for a good cause? Here are a few of the cancer walks you can choose from this summer:
The Susan G. Komen 3-Day
San Francisco June 21-23 | Boston July 26-28 | Cleveland Aug 2-4 | Chicago Aug 9-11
Michigan Aug 16-18 | Twin Cities Aug 23-25 | Seattle Sept 20-22
Probably the best known cancer charity event in the world, the Komen walk pops up in cities all across the United States every year. Don’t worry about the fact that it covers 60 miles and lasts 3 days – people of all levels of athleticism are welcome to join. If you can’t make it to one of the summer races there are plenty of Komen walks happening around the country in the fall as well. Click here to donate or sign up.
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
Boston May 18-19 | Chicago June 1-2 | Santa Barbara Sept 7-8 | San Francisco Sept 28-29
Like the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer lasts multiple days and has several iterations around the U.S. throughout summer, fall, and even next spring. Santa Barbara in September sounds lovely for a stroll, doesn’t it? Click here to donate or sign up.
SummeRun & Walk for Ovarian Cancer
Seattle July 21
If you’re going to be in the Pacific Northwest this July, you should absolutely sign up for SummeRun and “make a move to end ovarian cancer.” Click here to donate or sign up.
T.E.A.L. Walk for Ovarian Cancer
Brooklyn Sept 7
T.E.A.L. stands for “Tell Every Amazing Lady” about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, and if you decide to participate in this year’s 5th annual walk in New York’s historic Prospect Park, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do just that. Click here to donate or sign up.
Prevent Cancer Foundation 5K
Washington, DC September 29
Cancer is a terrible disease in any of its forms, and this walk in the nation’s capitol aims to raise funds for research on preventing all cancer. Register today to show anyone you’ve ever known who’s been afflicted by cancer (yes, Angelina Jolie counts) that you’re with them in fight against it. Click here to donate or sign up.
Have you ever done a cancer walk before? What are your thoughts on Angelina Jolie’s mastectomy decision?
