Our fight against breast cancer

The UFT has been actively involved in the fight against breast cancer for decades. Through our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, our Go Pink Day, our campaigns to promote cancer screenings and our program to give members access to affordable 3-D mammograms, breast cancer awareness is a cornerstone union initiative not only in October, but year-round.

In addition to these breast cancer resources, the UFT offers a full range of cancer care programs and support for our members and their families.

Early breast cancer detection

UFT members have access to the most effective breast cancer screening program in the country.

A group of marchers pose while wearing pink breast cancer awareness attire

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Our annual walks raise funds to create a world free from breast cancer.

Breast cancer resources

See information on breast cancer screenings, risk assessment and prevention.

Pink Day 2025

UFT members across the city wore pink on Wednesday, Oct. 15 to raise awareness about the fight against 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.