Nearly 200,000 women live with breast cancer in California alone. Thousands of those cases belong to the Bay Area, where the Hope, Empowerment, Renewal and Support (HERS) Breast Cancer Foundation aids survivors. In 1998, three women aimed to recognize the unique needs of breast cancer patients. Under the leadership of executive director Tina Fernandez, HERS Breast Cancer Foundation has evolved to provide post-surgical products and services for breast cancer survivors. HERS is hosting its 26th annual Walk/Run/Yoga fundraiser on Sept. 27.
Fernandez says that the main reason HERS conducts fundraisers is to address the inequity in healthcare. Fundraisers that are open to the entire community to participate allow HERS to dispense products to individuals who are uninsured and underserved through the rest of the year. “We really feel that everyone deserves to heal and look their best,” says Fernandez.
Their Walk/Run/Yoga fundraiser is extremely meaningful to those all over the Bay Area, whether they’re family members or they’ve undergone the traumatic experience of breast cancer. Participants have the option to walk a 5K track, or run a 5K or 10K track. For those who have physical restrictions, HERS has prioritized a yoga activity for all ages, and chair yoga for those who have mobility restrictions.
To add fun to the meaningful event, the HERS team has a costume contest for groups. Secret judges walk around the duration of the event, judging groups dressed as characters such as Pikachu and Wonder Woman.
One of the most important aspects of the fundraiser is Elaine’s Memorial Circle. Elaine Skloot was an employee at HERS who did not survive the battle against breast cancer. As a tribute to her contribution to the foundation and her resilience, all attendees form a large circle. Director Carolyn Dillingham goes around the circle with a microphone and gives each person the chance to share their breast cancer journey. “It’s really just a celebration that they’re still here and a reminder about how precious life is,” says Fernandez.
Several participants and volunteers make this event possible, including the Gilligan and Buentello families, who play a major role each year. The family creates hundreds of paper footprints that attendees can take and write the name of a friend or family member to whom they want to dedicate their walk or run.
Additionally, every year, the fundraiser has a theme. Last year, it was the Wizard of Oz, with the tagline, “There’s no place like hope.” This year, Fernandez expects to see plenty of pink cowboy hats for the western theme, “Giving Cancer the Boot.” These efforts by the community make the fundraiser all the more meaningful. Attendees get a chance to honor their own journey or someone else’s through these small gestures.
Making this fundraiser a reality involves a lot of work behind the scenes for the entire HERS team. Their work starts in May, as they reach out to sponsors and buy supplies. High school senior Kavya Datt is in charge of designing 600 t-shirts for the fundraiser. Each year, she creates an original design relating to the theme.
“It gives me a lot of gratification knowing that people appreciate and wear the t-shirts I design,” says Datt. The entirety of this program wouldn’t be possible without the sponsors and participants who donate time and resources.
Over the years, this fundraiser has become an integral part of the Bay Area community, highlighting the perseverance and strength of all patients and survivors of breast cancer. In the 26 years this event has been occurring, the foundation has made some changes to make the event more efficient. This year, all registration has become online to make the event more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
The HERS Walk/Run/Yoga fundraiser is the kickoff for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and paves the way for future fundraisers that continue to provide crucial support for the community.
HERS Walk/Run/Yoga Fundraiser
Saturday, Sept. 27
7 – 11:30am
Quarry Lakes Regional Park
2100 Isherwood Way, Fremont
