Walk With Love Garners $85,000

For Palisadians Who Still Wish to Participate, Fundraising Will Continue Through June 15

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Each spring, Palisadians Walk With Love to support the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, which usually starts and finishes at Palisades Recreation Center.

In 2020, due to COVID-19, the walk went virtual, with more than 500 walkers in 34 states and seven countries participating in the May 17 event.

Those who participated in the 12th annual walk received a welcome speech from Dr. Susan Love in their inboxes before festivities kicked off at 10:30 a.m.

“We are excited to say we raised over $85,000—and counting!” a spokesperson for the organization shared.

The foundation received hundreds of photos of participants in their LOVE shirts and WWL2020 bibs. There was also a photo challenge for the most creative individual and team photos, with submissions ranging from walkers in pink tutus, dogs wearing LOVE shirts, walk teams on Zoom and social distance walks with masks.

“In this time of uncertainty, we remain committed to our mission, to end breast cancer,” Dr. Susan Love, founder and chief visionary officer, shared in a statement. “Breast cancer doesn’t stop because the world seemingly stops.”

For those who missed the virtual walk but still would like to support the cause, fundraising will continue through June 15.

“We cannot thank our supporters and sponsors enough for making Walk With Love Virtual 2020 a huge success and opening the door for future, virtual global events for the foundation,” the spokesperson shared.

Fundraisers for Walk With Love who raise $150 or more will receive a survivor-made signature LOVE candle, while the top fundraising teams and individuals will win a Zoom call with Love.

“Going virtual this year, we’re able to engage more walkers and supporters than ever before,” Love shared with the Palisadian-Post. “It’s an unprecedented time with medical research more important than ever before.”

One of the event sponsors, Saucony, will award the top individual fundraiser with a pair of shoes as well as a code for 20% off given to the top fundraising team.

“We are so grateful for the outpour of support for the foundation across the world,” the spokesperson shared. “We were joined by our research teams in Guadalajara and Madrid, as well as supporters on a U.S. Military base in Iraq.”

For more information, visit walkwithlove.org.