Columbia’s First Lady Beth Coble, breast cancer survivor Sherry Strickland, and SC First Lady Jenny Sanford.

“The Walk for Life is always an inspirational event for me. To see so many survivors surrounded by family and friends walking together, I know we’re doing the right thing,” says Jenny Sanford, First Lady of SC. She and Beth Coble, First Lady of the City of Columbia, are co–marshals of the walk. “I strongly encourage everyone to join in the walk. This is a time to remember and honor the people we’ve lost and those who’ve survived, and to look towards the future in hope for a cure.”

This year’s First Ladies’ Walk for Life, Steps Against Breast Cancer will be held on Saturday, October 1 at Finlay Park where 10,000 walkers are expected to participate in what has become the state’s largest walk and breast cancer awareness activity. More than 325 teams have already registered with a team registration total of over 7,500 walkers, including 350 breast cancer survivors.

Individuals can register for the First Ladies’ Walk for Life on Thursday, September 29 and Friday September 30 from 8 am to 6 pm in the Emergency Department entrance of Palmetto Health Baptist and from 10 am to 4 pm in the Atrium of 7 Medical Park on the Palmetto Health Richland campus. The walker fee is $20 and each registrant will receive an event T–shirt. Participants are encouraged to raise additional donations in the fight against breast cancer.

“Breast cancer has touched my life deeply. My mother died from it when I was seven years old,” says Coble. “And now today, breast cancer continues to affect so many women. Statistics show about one in every seven women will have some form of breast cancer. By educating women about early detection and raising money for breast cancer research, we can make a difference. We’ll raise awareness and save more lives.”

The three–mile walk begins and ends at Finlay Park and follows a scenic route by historical sites such as the Robert Mills House, Mann–Simons Cottage and the Governor’s Mansion. On–site registration is available the day of the walk beginning at 8 am. Opening ceremonies begin at 8:30 am, and the walk begins at 9 am. Net proceeds from this walk benefit Palmetto Health’s South Carolina Comprehensive Breast Center located on the Palmetto Health Baptist and Palmetto Health Richland campuses and support awareness, education, patient and family support and cancer research.

Now in its fifteenth year, the walk is held annually on the first Saturday in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Visit http://www.palmettohealth.org/community/firstladies.html for more information or call the Palmetto Health Foundation at (803) 434-7275.