St. John’s Walks for the Cure

Last month members of St. John's University's Queens and Staten Island campus communities got together for the annual, "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk," sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Nearly 700 members walked down Queens Boulevard on October 19 and nearly 600 members walked in Staten Island. More than 30 student organizations participated as well. Between the two campuses nearly $26,000 was raised, and this was the fourth year in a row that St. John's participated in the walk.

Vice President for Community Relations Joseph Sciame told St. John's Monthly about the ongoing importance for the St. John's community to participate in the walk. "Here in Queens and even on Staten Island, we have very high percentages of at risk individuals.  Knowing that we can make a difference by walking the walk and helping to raise needed money to do advanced research is a unique opportunity." Mr. Sciame added that many members of the St. John's family have experienced breast cancer, whether personally or through a family member.

In Queens there was a breakfast and special blessing held on campus prior to the walk. Bus transportation between Alumni Hall and the walk site was provided for St. John's participants while some walkers chose to meet at the starting point.

Mr. Sciame said the relationship between St. John's and the American Cancer Society has only strengthened over the years. In June of this year during a special relay at DaSilva Field, over 700 members of the St. John's community walked for 24 hours to raise money. "It was announced that evening that St. John's was the recipient of a special grant from the American Cancer Society in the amount of almost $900,000 under the auspices and study of Dr. Ales Vancura of our St. John's College," he noted.