On October 6, a beautiful autumn day, Rice students, staff, and friends, led by Mrs. Fricke-Langan, gathered at Cairns arena to join the American Cancer Society in their annual Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.
Dressed head to toe in pink tutus and feather boas, “Knights for the Cure”, Rice Memorial High School’s walking group, raised over $2,000 in donations and showed up for a morning full of support and celebration of Gretchen Fricke-Langan. Fricke-Langan is a staple teacher who is currently fighting breast cancer while continuing to instruct at and make an impact on students at Rice Memorial High School.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has been a part of the American Cancer Society for over 10 decades. It was created to expand a further reach into helping improve people’s lives who have been affected by Breast Cancer. With the core values of integrity, compassion, diversity, and determination, Strides has been able to unite people against the disease through advocacy and research. Getting involved in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer can even look like just showing up to support survivors through the events and walks created by the American Cancer Society.
Upon arriving at the event, the team was met with free coffee, bagels, and smiling faces. Tents were set out upon the Cairns lawn, and various activities like a pink hair tinsel station, coloring, and a scavenger hunt were set up and completed throughout the jam-packed day. There was even a tent for individuals fighting cancer to receive massages and gifts from local donors.
Before beginning the three-mile walk around Burlington, a ceremony was held where women of all ages shared their names and spoke about how long they have been cancer-free or fighting cancer; and the crowd roared in support, displaying their hope for a breast cancer cure.
Rice Memorial High School junior Liliana Conoscenti stated, “It was so nice to hear the survivors share their stories and inspire everyone around them. It felt like such an inclusive environment and everyone was supporting women”. She adds, “It was amazing to see the strength of Mrs. Langan and be there for her. She is an individual that makes Rice, Rice”.
After walking the neighborhoods of Burlington for three miles, the team sat in the grass under the warm sun and enjoyed a barbeque. The afternoon came around and hugs were exchanged before “Knights for the Cure” departed from the event, members feeling more connected than ever.
Making Strides continues to be an amazing resource for people all over of all ages fighting cancer.
“Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I have wanted to connect with other women with the same experience, but did not feel that support groups were the answer,” says Gretchen Fricke-Langan. “My husband Tom searched for a breast cancer walk. We found Stride for the Cure. In just a few short weeks I socialized this walk with a few classes and I was pleasantly surprised at the willingness of so many students and staff to not only support me on this walk, but also show up to walk with me.”
Fricke-Langan made it a goal to bring further apprehension to Breast Cancer, “It is astounding how 1 in 6 women in VT are affected by breast cancer. Just being able to make the students who attended the walk aware of this disease was worth the time to join this walk”.
Another one of her goals was met that day; “It was so special to walk TOGETHER with the students, faculty, and staff, it made me feel so supported in my treatment journey. The positive attitude and the strength I was able to draw from all who attended and walked with me was incredible”, she exclaims.
To donate, educate yourself, or seek help, visit the American Cancer Society’s, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer website. Here you can find volunteer opportunities, research information on prevention, research information about cancer, programs and services, and ways to get involved.
As Rice, be a part of the cure.
