2010 Hands Across the Avenue

Raise Your Hands

It was a beautiful day for a walk. It was an even better day for a walk as filled with purpose and hope as the Breast Cancer Alliance's fifth annual Hands Across the Avenue. Beginning in the parking lot of our gracious host, Richards of Greenwich, the one mile stroll down Greenwich Avenue on May 16 attracted nearly 800 people, most of whom were there to honor family members and friends with breast cancer. The walkers all looked pretty in pink, sporting their pink walk bandanas showcasing our corporate supporters and the walk hats generously donated by Bill Gedney of Hat Attack. Their efforts raised more than $50,000 to fund research and outreach programs supported by the Alliance.

New York Sports Club fitness experts got the morning off to a rocking start with a rousing warm-up led by Moe Prester and his team. Cathy Dann and Betsy Donovan Nolan, the walk co-chairs, welcomed the crowd and Grand Marshal Frank Corvino, CEO of Greenwich Hospital. “Thanks to all who are carrying on this fantastic tradition and walking to make a cure for breast cancer a reality,” they remarked.

Mr. Corvino told the gathered crowd, "It's an honor to be chosen Grand Marshal for this important celebration. Years ago, we couldn't even talk about breast cancer and today, we're closer than ever to a cure thanks to organizations like the Breast Cancer Alliance.”

Leading off the Walk

Walk co-chairs Cathy Dann and Betsy Donovan Nolan with Frank Corvino

NYSC fitness professionals leading the warm-up

As always, the teams were out in force. Team HOAG, (Hematology & Oncology Associates of Greenwich), led by Greenwich oncologists Dr. Dick Hollister, Dr. Beverly Drucker and Dr. M. Sung Lee, fielded 150 members and won the "Most Participants" award. Team Corvino of Greenwich Hospital was represented by 116 marchers and picked up the "Most Spirited" award. The JPMorgan Private Bank team and its 74 walkers won for "Most Heart." They all walked in honor of Heidi Armitage, the wife of JPMorgan banker Adam Green. Ms. Armitage lost her battle with breast cancer last year at the age of 43. A total of 17 teams walked this year, not all of them large, but all of them dedicated.

By the end of the walk, pink cards covered the Wall of Honor, where the names of loved ones were proudly displayed.The Wall of Honor was then on view at Richards for several weeks. "This event is so inspiring and reminds us of how much we can accomplish with our research and outreach dollars," said Alliance President Margaret Sinclair. "We are so fortunate to have a crowd of caring supporters who take the time to help women and men everywhere battle this disease."

Sophie Skinner

Vineyard Vines gets in the spirit

Wall of Honor

As in past years, FM radio station The New 96.7 The Coast played music and set a festive tone with a live broadcast throughout the morning. Chef Albert DeAngelis of Mediterraneo Restaurant treated the crowd to coffee and pastries donated by Ramze Zakka Restaurants. PepsiCo, Inc. donated bottles of Aquafina and SOBE lifewater. Joan Biagiarelli of the Stamford Mobile Mammography Program offered tours of Rosie, the new Stamford Mobile Mammogram Van. Through our outreach grants, The Alliance funds free mammograms to underserved and uninsured women at Rosie and other sites.

In particular, the Alliance would like to recognize the event’s Platinum sponsors, Omnicom, Inc. and Greenwich Hospital for their generous support and participation in this event. We also appreciate the continued commitment of area businesses. We would like to acknowledge the many Alliance Board members, staff and volunteers who turned out, and most of all, we want to thank all the walkers who shared in this festive, fun occasion.

Thank You For Your Helping Hands

Greenwich Hospital

Omnicom Group, Inc.

Citi Private Bank

Winged Keel Group, Inc.

Hat Attack Buji Baja

Mitchells/Richards

Steven Fox Jewelry

Mediterraneo Restaurant

Miller Motor Cars

PepsiCo, Inc.

Rand Insurance, Inc.