Gary residents will once again lace up their walking shoes in support of breast cancer awareness as Community HealthNet Health Centers (CHN) hosts its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Marquette Park. This year’s theme, “Boots on the Ground,” underscores the community’s strength, unity, and determination in the fight against breast cancer.
Far more than just a walk, the event is a celebration of survivors, a source of encouragement for families, and a fundraising opportunity to ensure that uninsured and underinsured patients have access to life-saving diagnostic testing and essential CHN services. Each step taken at Marquette Park will directly support CHN’s mission of providing affordable healthcare to individuals and families in need.
A Walk with Purpose
The day promises to be filled with energy and camaraderie. Walkers can participate as individuals, families, or as part of a team. Prizes will be awarded for the “best dressed” team and individual walker, adding a fun twist to the event. Attendees can also enjoy music, line dancing, and local vendors throughout the day.
Organizers encourage the public not only to join in person but also to spread the word. Recruiting additional walkers, teams, donors, and sponsors helps broaden the event’s impact. Donations of in-kind items such as bottled water, fresh fruit, granola bars, and gift cards will help fuel participants and recognize winners.
Why Screening Matters
Behind the festive atmosphere lies a serious mission: promoting early detection of breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, early-stage breast cancer has a survival rate of more than 90 percent when detected before it spreads. Yet too many women, particularly those in underserved communities, lack access to regular screenings like mammograms.
Events such as CHN’s walk serve as reminders of the importance of prevention and routine care. Funds raised will directly support diagnostic services, ensuring that more women in Gary and Northwest Indiana can access mammograms and follow-up testing regardless of income. This is particularly crucial in communities where health disparities often mean later diagnoses and worse outcomes.
Community Commitment
“This is a charity event with purpose,” CHN emphasized in announcing the walk. Every registration fee, sponsorship, and donation will go toward strengthening healthcare access for those who need it most.
The event also provides a space for survivors to share their journeys and for families to honor loved ones affected by breast cancer. For many participants, the walk is both personal and communal—a chance to show support, raise awareness, and move forward together.
Call to Action
CHN invites the community to come out to Marquette Park and be part of this year’s event. Participation helps raise awareness while ensuring that vital healthcare services continue reaching those most at risk. With “boots on the ground,” Gary can make a strong stand against breast cancer—one step at a time.