More than 26,000 committed men and women hit the streets of nine American cities in 2007 to eradicate the leading cancer among women through City of Hope’s Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer campaign.
Organizers raised more than $2.7 million through corporate sponsorships, team participation and the continued support of thousands of dedicated volunteers.
Since its inception, the Walk for Hope program has raised more than $25 million for breast cancer research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope.
In 2007, actress Andrea Evans, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor, served as national celebrity ambassador for the seventh straight year.
“Funds raised through Walk for Hope events are critical,” said George Somlo, M.D., co-director of the City of Hope Breast Cancer Program. “Our scientists are involved in a number of studies and clinical trials that are helping to redefine the standards of care and accelerate the search for a cure. The steps of our Walk for Hope participants make this progress possible.”
Top Walks and top teams
The top three walks of 2007 were held in Los Angeles, Chicago and Phoenix. On Nov. 18, more than 8,000 supporters generated more than $850,000 in Los Angeles, even though the event had to be rescheduled more than a month after its original date due to poor air quality resulting from local wildfires. On Oct. 14, more than 2,500 participants raised more than $360,000 in Chicago. In Phoenix, more than 4,000 contributors reaped more than $250,000 in donations on Oct. 7.
Walks were held in San Diego, San Francisco, Edison, N.J.; Seattle, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., as well.
For the second year in a row, the “C is for Courage, S is for Strength” team generated the most donations nationwide, bringing in more than $42,000. One of the team’s members, Chelli Fishman, once again finished as the nation’s top individual fundraiser, generating contributions exceeding $15,000.
Sponsors made a difference
Walk for Hope depended on these top national sponsors:
Wells Fargo, supporter for the seventh straight year
3M Post-it Super Sticky Notes
Good Housekeeping magazine
Hilton HHonors (offered valuable incentive prizes for participants, as well as certificates for free hotel stays for top fundraisers)
Sandals/Beaches (awarded Walk for Hope’s top individual and team captain fundraisers nationwide with all-inclusive stays at one of its resorts)
Sebastian returned (expanded its sponsorship to include the Wella and Graham Webb brands)
“Due to increased sponsor and team participation in 2007, we continued to increase the effectiveness of our fundraising efforts,” said Raymur Sweeney, director of national events, noting that Albertsons/Savon signed on as a local presenting sponsor for both the Los Angeles and San Diego walks and put together the largest corporate teams in both areas. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped to make this past season such an extraordinary success.”
