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The walk ambassadors will be Karen Stachowicz and Susan Hope McCarthy, both from Yorktown Heights.
The event is held to bring attention to the needs of people affected by breast and ovarian cancer and to raise funds for Support Connection’s free counseling and other support services for those affected by these diseases. Walk Ambassadors are cancer survivors who represent the spirit and purpose of the Support-A-Walk.
Karen Stachowicz of Yorktown Heights learned she had breast cancer in 2002. At the time, she was pregnant and had a 3 year old son. She reached out to Support Connection for help and had to undergo multiple surgeries and treatments.
“Support Connection has always been there for me,” said Stachowicz. Over the years, she participated in two of the organization’s support groups, including one for Young Women with breast cancer, and has attended many educational and wellness programs.
She is very honored to be a Walk Ambassador. “I plan to let everyone know I’m an Ambassador this year, to encourage more people to donate and to ask other people they know to donate, too,” she said.
McCarthy began participating in the Support-A-Walk when her two children, now 17 and 15, were in a baby stroller. So, when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013, she knew where to call. Her diagnosis, made during a routine annual physical, came as a shock. Sue endured all of this while raising two teenagers and continuing her busy career as a teacher.
While still undergoing treatment, McCarthy has relied on support connection a number of times since then. “I love Support Connection because of the ‘normalcy’ of it all," she said. "You’re not just considered a person with cancer; you are a person with dignity and hope.”
McCarthy is grateful to be a Walk Ambassador this year. “I truly believe that the Support-A-Walk brings ovarian and breast cancer to the forefront," she said.
When asked to describe what the Support-A-Walk is all about McCarthy said, “It allows Support Connection to continue its work of helping the person with the diagnosis, as well as their family members.” She adds: “The support I received from my family, friends, community, doctors, nurses and from Support Connection will stay with me always.”
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