The Kenvir Walking Park was the site of a cancer awareness celebration recently.

“It’s a little damp today but we’ll be here until dark. People will come and go all day long. We had 260 people here last year, and we hope to beat that this year,” said Vickie Moore, a cancer survivor.

Vickie and her husband, Bill, organize the event every year.

“We do this to celebrate life and living,” Vicki Moore said.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month (NBCAM). According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), this program is dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of the early detection of breast cancer through a nationwide campaign held in October. NBCAM started as a week long campaign in 1985 with two founding members. Today, the ACS is one of many national public service organizations, professional associations nd government agencies that form the NBCAM. During October every year, the message about early detection of breast cancer is spread to prompt treatment and to save lives.

“I am a breast cancer survivor. I came out to this event to help support others that have cancer. If I can do or say something to help someone through the treatments, I want to do that. I mostly want people to know that you can survive and live a full life after the diagnosis of breast cancer,” said Cora Long.

Dakota Farley, 6, was there to walk and support others.

“I had a chemo treatment today. I’ve got cancer and I’m going to sing for everybody today,” Farley said with a smile on his little face. Farley’s mother, Brooke, said Dakota was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005.

“He had a relapse in September 2009, and he’s taking chemotherapy and radiation now. We are here today to show our support for others that are going through the same thing,” she said.

T.J. Brewer, standing 6 feet 11 inches tall, spoke with a soft voice.

“I was diagnosed with a brain tumor that is inoperable three and a half years ago,” Brewer said. “They told me I had three months to live. Home Health staff tell me I am a walking miracle. I say that I have been given a wonderful opportunity to spend time with my family. God has been good to me.”

Vicki Moore said all cancer survivors have a story to tell.

“We support each other through these walks and get togethers. It helps you and it helps others, that’s why we do it,” Moore said.

The ACS has programs available to help cancer patients and survivors. They have trained cancer information specialists available 24 hours per day, seven days per week, to offer the comfort of live support and to answer questions about cancer, link callers with resources in their communities, and provide information on local events. To reach the National Cancer Information Center, call 1 (800) 227-2345.