Wonder Woman Walk

By JACQUELINE PRIMO | Reporter

Photos by RICH SCHMITT | Staff Photographer

“Women are the wave of the future, and sisterhood is stronger than anything!” – Wonder Woman: The New Original Wonder Woman (#1.1), (1975)

More than 1,100 walkers (roughly two-thirds of them from Pacific Palisades) turned up for the inaugural Jessica M. Berman Wonder Woman Walk for Breast Cancer on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the Palisades Recreation Center.

The Palisadian-Post is proud to be the media sponsor for the event, which raised more than $550,000 for the Jessica M. Berman Memorial Fund within Tower Cancer Research Foundation, which provides funding for important and innovative breast cancer research and patient support services.

“I’m just thrilled about this turnout for the first year and there is no doubt this will be an annual event,” David Berman told the Post as participants (dressed in their best Wonder Woman and superhero regalia) mingled among the tents with goodies from Coco Libre, Coffee Bean, Pressed Juicery and more.

David’s late wife Jessica M. Berman was a loving wife, mother and friend who was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer at 34 years old while five months pregnant with their second child, Leo.

Jessica threw herself into raising awareness and funds to fight breast cancer and support research to fight the deadly disease, even walking 26.2 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Santa Barbara two weeks after completing radiation.

Jessica passed away on Aug. 24, 2014 at the age of 38.

“We wanted to do something to honor her legacy and also raise money for breast cancer,” David told the Post, adding that making the event family-friendly was important.

And with a Kids Zone that included a bounce house, face-painting and even a drum circle for the youngest participants, the Wonder Woman Walk had something for everybody.

Jessica and David’s children, Abby, 6, and Leo, 4, showed up dressed as Wonder Woman herself and Captain America, respectively.

In a touching tribute to her mother, Abby wore Jessica’s bright red, shiny, knee-high Wonder Woman boots—despite them being just a little too big—and said they were her favorite part of the ensemble.

Nearly every walker at the event had the name of a loved one written on their backs—a somber reminder that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, according to Tower Cancer Research Fund.

A team of 50 walkers (primarily Palisadians) sported visors with their team name, “Save 2nd Base.”

“I was friends with Jessica and am on the Wonder Woman Walk Committee with David [Berman],” said Liz Rahn, team leader. “It’s really awesome to see this turnout. Very humbling.”

Eight-year-old Ingrid Knap, in second grade at Palisades Charter Elementary School, wore a shiny Wonder Woman costume complete with red and blue streaks in her hair and a bouquet of pink balloons in her hand.

“We’re walking for my mom’s friend, Jasveer,” Knap told the Post.

Special guest and honoree Christina Applegate, whose breast cancer diagnosis was announced in August 2008, was honored at the event alongside Dr. Philomena McAndrew from Tower Oncology.

Applegate told the Post that although she did not know Jessica personally, McAndrew treated them both.

“It’s pretty incredible all the people who are out here supporting Jessica, Tower [Cancer Research Foundation] and David,” Applegate said. She added that she was looking forward to spending the rest of the day with her son, saying, “Sunday is family fun-day.”

Before the walk kicked off, David Berman took the stage to address the swelling crowd as the heat and humidity increased.

“I can only imagine Jessica’s reaction to the love and support from the community,” David said, choking up. “Her legacy will indeed live on through the Wonder Woman Walk.”

David individually called Applegate and McAndrew to the stage to present them with the first ever Wonder Woman Awards.

“I will never not be affected by the losses [caused by breast cancer] and today is no exception,” Applegate said after hugging Abby and Leo Berman.

“Dr. Philomena, you and your team at Tower are the top of your profession,” David said. “You are a true Wonder Woman.”

McAndrew added that there were more people present at the Wonder Woman Walk than were at the first Susan G. Komen walk.

“It’s a very interesting and exciting time in oncology,” she told the crowd. “Thank you to David for his tireless efforts in getting this going.”