This October, thousands of people will take to the streets of downtown Rochester. They'll be walking in the annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Cancer. But Making Strides is not just a breast cancer walk. It's a rallying cry for awareness, a way of remembering those who've fought and continue to fight breast cancer, and it's the opportunity for thousands to walk as one and make a difference in the lives of people with breast cancer.

On Sunday, October 14, friends, families and co-workers will gather at 9:30 a.m. at Frontier Field in Rochester for the annual Making Strikes Against Breast Cancer walk. Each year the five-K, non-competitive event brings people together to stand up to breast cancer and help support life saving research, education, advocacy and patient and family services while having a good time.

"Every year I come back to Making Strides and am overwhelmed by the number of people," said Julie Nowicki a Spencerport resident and 8-year breast cancer survivor. "You see mothers, husbands, children - thousands of them all walking together and having fun. And it makes you feel great to know that each step you take helps the American Cancer Society bring us one step closer to a cure."

Nowicki has participated in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for the past 5 years. "I love seeing the support of families and friends as they join together to fight breast cancer."

Proceeds from Making Strides Against Breast Cancer go to support breast cancer research and local American Cancer Society patient service programs.

For additional information about the day's planned activities and to find out how to start a team, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.