By Yonni Wattenmaker
Spring has sprung and as National Wellness Month begins on May 1, once again our streets and parks are filled with student athletes, adult fitness lovers, and parents with baby joggers and strollers, all enjoying the fresh air and getting some important exercise into their daily routines.
Did you know that to help lower your breast cancer risk, it is recommended that adults engage in 150 minutes of exercise weekly? This can range from moderate or low-impact exercise, like a stroll around a lake, yoga or Pilates, to more intensive levels of cardio and strength-training activities like running, boxing, HIIT, and cycling. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight are key components to helping keep your immune system stay prepared to fend off disease. You can make little improvements by taking the stairs in lieu of the elevator or by participating in Breast Cancer Alliance’s annual 5K for Hope on Cinco de Mayo!
Greenwich will be in the pink once again on Sunday, May 5 as hundreds of supporters, from toddlers to grandparents, competitive runners to outdoor enthusiasts, and even dogs with their loving owners, wind their way through town during BCA’s family-friendly race. Dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives to the disease and honoring the courage of breast cancer survivors, the event brings families, friends, and neighbors together.
The 5K Run/Walk for Hope never ceases to amaze me. Seeing people of all ages from Greenwich and its surrounding communities rally in support of BCA’s mission to improve breast cancer outcomes for all is inspiring. It is such a beautiful way to honor the memory of loved ones and cherished colleagues who died from breast cancer, and to honor those who have won the battle against this disease and come through treatment to survivorship and promise. I am grateful to our Board, committee members and our many sponsors for making this day such a special one each year, most notably our Presenting Sponsor Omnicom, our host, Richards, and our complimentary breakfast provider, Z Hospitality, who have been stalwart champions of this event for so many years.
While the physical benefits of running are clear, what are some of its other benefits? Dave Wright, owner of Fleet Feet in Westport and a sponsor of this year’s 5K shared: “My wife and I have been runners for decades. We’ve used running as much for mental fitness as physical. There is something calming and peaceful when you run, whether alone or with friends. There have been countless studies that have proven both the mental and physical benefits of running that support what we feel each and every week. I have the most creativity during and immediately after a run also. It’s like a run makes you super-focused on all the positive aspects of life. I see this every time I spend time running with our run groups, while coaching our Staples girls track team and when I work with individual clients. This is what made my career change six years ago so rewarding. Fleet Feet isn’t just a retail footwear store, it’s a way to connect with our local community through running.”
This year, BCA is especially honored to welcome Clea Shearer, breast cancer survivor, and Joanna Teplin, co-founders of The Home Edit. Founded in 2015 with the goal of reinventing traditional organizing and merging it with design, The Home Edit has become a household name with three New York Times’ bestselling books, an Emmy-nominated Netflix show, “Get Organized with the Home Edit,” and a successful line of organizational products sold in stores in over 31 countries.
The duo will join us to kick off this annual race in partnership with BCA and in support of its mission. Ms. Shearer will be this year’s Grand Marshal, saying a few words as the morning event begins.
The 5K Run/Walk for Hope kicks off and ends at Richards at 359 Greenwich Avenue. Check-in and walk-in registration open at 8:00 a.m. and the 5K run begins at 9:00 followed by the start of the walk at 9:10. There will be a DJ, face painter and a 1-mile route options for the little ones and prizes for the top finishers as well.
To register early or donate visit runsignup.com/breastcancer5k. A few days after the racer you can relax and unwind by ante-ing up and enjoying a fun evening at BCA’s Casino Night on May 15th at Innis Arden right in Old Greenwich. To learn more about what we have in store for that night, or what’s around the corning in New York City May 2nd and Palm Beach starting May 9th, and how you can get involved with Breast Cancer Alliance in general, visit breastcanceralliance.org. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Yonni has been serving as Executive Director of Breast Cancer Alliance since June 2011, one of the highest-ranked and most prominent breast cancer charities in the United States. Yonni is also an active volunteer who, in 2019 she was honored to be named one of “40 Fascinating Women” by WAG Magazine and as a “Woman Who Inspires” in 2021 by the YWCA. Yonni is also a certified nutritional health coach and founder of Yon Appetit (yonappetit.com) offering personalized coaching, healthy recipes and wellness advice.
