Fenton Teen Walks to Fight Breast Cancer

Instead of a traditional "sweet 16" birthday party, sophomore Autumn Carter is doing something sweet. Carter, who just turned 16, has gathered several friends for a team and is lacing up her shoes Saturday morning to join the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Flint.

Carter and her friends will be walking as the Teens for TaTas team. On Friday, they had a sleepover at Carter's house and decorated their team T-shirts for Saturday's fundraiser, said Angie Wynn, Carter's mother.

They collected donations to help the American Cancer Society fight breast cancer.

"Autumn had her $100 goal reached on her first day," Wynn said.

Carter is participating in honor of her godmother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and had a double mastectomy. Wynn said Carter's godmother, who lives out of state, is now doing well.

"She is 100 percent cancer-free," said Wynn.

This is the second time Carter has participated in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. She and her mother walked in it together last year. This year, each has her own team walking in the event. Wynn's team is Allure for a Cure, she said.

"What a great way to raise awareness among young people and to get involved in the community," said Evelyn Barella, media relations specialist for the Great Lakes Division of the American Cancer Society.

Breast cancer is the second-most frequently diagnosed cancer in women (skin cancer is the most frequent) and is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer, an American Cancer Society news release said.

Since 1993, nearly 7 million walkers across the United States have raised more than $400 million to help fight breast cancer through Making Strides events. In 2010, nearly 800,000 walkers across the country collected $60 million to help fight breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

There are more than 250 Making Strides events held across the country, ranging in distance from 5K (3.1 miles) to five miles, depending on location. Individuals of all ages are welcome to participate, said a news release for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Saturday's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will begin at the flat lot at 901 S. Saginaw Street in downtown Flint. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the walk starts at 9 a.m.There is no registration fee, and the walk is 3.1 miles.

More information is available at http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/TR?sid=16393&type=fr_information...