Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 2026

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks are powerful events that unite communities across New York City to raise both awareness and funds.

For over 20 years, UFT members have committed themselves to the fight against breast cancer by partnering with the American Cancer Society. UFT members have collectively raised over $15 million dollars, which directly funds the lifesaving work of the American Cancer Society. The Making Strides walks allow participants to celebrate survivorship, pay meaningful tributes to loved ones lost, and come together to raise funds to create a world free from the pain and suffering caused by breast cancer.

We know the future can be free from breast cancer. Join the movement to save lives and fund the future of breast cancer research for our loved ones today – and for the next generation.

Save the date for our fall Strides walks. Registration information will be posted soon.

Location	Date	Meetup Time & Place	Walk Coordinator
Central Park	Sunday, Oct. 18	Naumburg Bandshell, W. 67th St. & Central Park West Rolling start: 8 — 10:30 a.m.	sjenkins [at] uft [dot] org (Safiah Ali-Jenkins)
Brooklyn	Sunday, Oct. 25	Coney Island Boardwalk, Maimonides Park, 1904 Surf Ave., Rolling start: 8 — 10:30 a.m.	mbell [at] uft [dot] org (Mashantuck Bell)
Bronx	Sunday, Oct. 25	Orchard Beach, 1 Orchard Beach Rd. Rolling start: 8 — 10:30 a.m.	lcurry [at] uft [dot] org (Latrice Curry)
Queens	Sunday, Oct. 18	Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 11101 Corona Ave., Rolling start: 8 — 10:30 a.m.	ghansen [at] uft [dot] org (Greer Hansen)
Staten Island	Sunday, Oct. 25	Midland Beach, 714 Fr. Capodanno Blvd. Rolling start: 8 — 10:30 a.m.	mrodriguez [at] uft [dot] org (Marie Rodriguez)
Long Island	Sunday, Oct. 18	Jones Beach State Park, Field 5, 1 Ocean Pkwy. Rolling start: 7–10:30 a.m.	Finestuff [at] aol [dot] com (Fran Miller)

Each event has an approximate end time of 12:30 p.m.

You can also download the American Cancer Society's FUNdraising app or learn more about setting up your own fundraising drive on Facebook to lend additional support.

Pink Day 2025

UFT members from all five boroughs of New York City wore pink on Oct. 15 to raise awareness about breast cancer.

At PS 200 in Brooklyn, (from left) Paraprofessional Representative Tara Wilde is joined in representing breast cancer awareness by principal Danielle Nola, science teacher Danielle Caracciolo and Chapter Leader Katherine Lameras.

School psychologist Stefania Armetta and staffer Angela Lamm, both of the DOE’s Committee on Special Education 7, which covers Districts 20 and 21, hold a cake in acknowledgment of their battle against breast cancer.

Third-grade teacher Stephanie Villaronga of PS 97 in Queens is all smiles after finishing her last chemotherapy treatment a day before Wear Pink Day. She missed not one day of class through all her treatments.

Pat Arnow

Showing their pink pride at Manhattan’s PS 28 are teacher Selines Padilla-Toribio, school counselor Breida Brown, teacher Patty DeSapio, paraprofessional Keyla Vargas, Chapter Leader Elkis Felice and speech teacher Leonor Camacho.

Erica Berger

Members and staffers at PS 100 in the Bronx stand up for breast cancer awareness and finding a cure.

Jonathan Fickies

Members at PS 281, the River School, in Manhattan stand union strong in pink.

Paraprofessionals at PS 19 in Queens, a United Community School, stand tall in pink.

Standing together against breast cancer at PS 131 in Brooklyn are school counselor Magdalena Wood, Chapter Leader Cristina Zencuch, and teachers Nicole Homnick, Cathy Nicoletti and Diana Rodriguez.

Members enjoy a “sunshine breakfast” on Wear Pink Day at PS 81 in Queens.

Bringing breast cancer awareness with smiles are members at the Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts in Harlem.

Paraprofessional Representative Stephanie Santiago and Chapter Leader Marvin Mejia gather at IS 339 in the Bronx.

Jonathan Fickies

Teacher Stephanie Villaronga of PS 97 in Queens holds flowers given to her in honor of her having finished chemotherapy the day before she joined her students, colleagues and families in a breast cancer awareness walk.

Pat Arnow

Erica Berger

Members and staffers at PS 100 in the Bronx stand up for breast cancer awareness and finding a cure.

Jonathan Fickies

Members at PS 281, the River School, in Manhattan stand union strong in pink.

Paraprofessionals at PS 19 in Queens, a United Community School, stand tall in pink.

Standing together against breast cancer at PS 131 in Brooklyn are school counselor Magdalena Wood, Chapter Leader Cristina Zencuch, and teachers Nicole Homnick, Cathy Nicoletti and Diana Rodriguez.

Members enjoy a “sunshine breakfast” on Wear Pink Day at PS 81 in Queens.

Bringing breast cancer awareness with smiles are members at the Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts in Harlem.

Paraprofessional Representative Stephanie Santiago and Chapter Leader Marvin Mejia gather at IS 339 in the Bronx.

Jonathan Fickies

Pat Arnow