Science teacher Kathryn Wichnovitz watched as hundreds of people wearing variations of pink in everything from sweaters and hats to tutus thronged the boardwalk and parks at Midland Beach in Staten Island for the annual Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 18.

“I’ve been doing this for several years in memory of my sister-in-law who died about eight years ago,” said Wichnovitz, who taught at PS 14 in Staten Island until the school was phased out in the last school year.

This year is different: a week earlier she learned that she has breast cancer.

“I’m still trying to let it sink in,” said Wichnovitz. Friends and former coworkers embraced her and stood with her near the UFT table. “I’m talking to a lot of survivors about their experience,” she said. Her grandmother died from the disease years ago. “Who knows, with the new treatment they have, she might have survived,” said Wichnovitz.

The UFT, along with its state affiliate, NYSUT, is one of the top fundraisers for the Making Strides walks sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise money for breast cancer research. Thousands turned out in four boroughs (the Queens walk was postponed until Nov. 8) and Long Island on an unusually cold day to give encouragement and support to those battling the disease, honor those who have died and celebrate the growing number of survivors.

UFT Staff Director Ellie Engler, a survivor of breast cancer, cut the ribbon for the UFT walkers in Central Park.

“I’ve been coming here since 2001,” said Lisa Pressman Peghi, a kindergarten teacher at PS 54 on Staten Island. That was the year her mother, Wendy Pressman, a secretary at Port Richmond HS, succumbed to the disease. Many of Peghi’s colleagues had pink sweatshirts honoring her mother and the words “Finish the Fight.”

Image

Bruce Cotler

“Look at this crowd,” said Cynthia Vesce, the chapter leader at PS 54, who wore a Pressman sweatshirt. “It’s so energizing. It brings back my faith in people.”

Pat Calvo, a school psychologist at PS 19 on Staten Island, said she has been cancer-free for three years. “As the mother of a daughter who is 18, it’s so important that this disease doesn’t exist,” said Calvo. “These young girls shouldn’t have to face this, ever.”

Linda Faughnan, a school secretary at PS 152 in the Bronx and a survivor of breast cancer, walks every year at Orchard Beach with her team, Faughnan’s Fighters.

“The walk brings the school together for a common cause. Nobody can say, ‘This doesn’t affect me,’ because cancer affects everybody,” said Joanne Oliver, the chapter leader at PS 152. “We all want to contribute and join in the fight.”

Some school communities walked a little closer to home. At PS 203 in Flatlands, Brooklyn, chapter leader Penny Lee Berman worked hand in hand with the school’s PTA president to organize a walk, in the school’s yard, which was attended by nearly 100 staff members, parents and students.

“Not everyone can get to Prospect Park, so this was a nice alternative,” said Berman. “It was a community-building experience to see the families with the teachers and staff, and we did good work.”

The guest of honor at PS 203’s walk was a student’s mother who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. And on the minds of many teachers was art teacher Ivy Seigle, who passed away from breast cancer five years ago. The school’s auditorium now bears her name

“She was my best friend,” said Berman.

See more photos of the walk in the gallery »