ALBION: Walk at Watt Farm raises $26,000 for breast cancer research

By Rikki Cason
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The Journal-Register

Making strides against breast cancer, 400 walkers, including dozens of local survivors, participated Sunday in a 5K walk for the American Cancer Society. The fourth annual Walk at Watt Farm, 3121 Oak Orchard Road, Albion, raised more than $26,000 to help fund breast cancer research.

“I am a breast cancer survivor,” Karen Watt of Watt Farms said. She got the idea to hold the walk on her farm when she learned that the closest walks were either in Rochester or Buffalo. She wanted to have an event that could benefit the people living in the central areas, such as Lyndonville, Albion and Batavia.

“It serves the area that doesn’t want to drive into Rochester or Buffalo,” Watt said. “Instead of pounding the pavement, give them an orchard to walk through.”

Participants walked the 3.2 miles through the 100-acre orchard. When the walk began four years ago, 60 walkers participated. Last year, the walk at Watt Farms raised more than $18,000 and more than 200 walkers participated. This year, the walk had a record number of 400 people.

“We had 400 walkers that have risen to the challenge,” said Jane Dent of the American Cancer Society. “Which is great for the small community.”

Dent said she was very happy with the fundraising results that “skyrocketed” this year.

“In Western New York, approximately 1,200 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year; 400 will die from the disease,” Dent said. “We all know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, or cancer in general. These teams want to help thousands of people to have a better chance at surviving breast cancer.”

Dent said that one of the youngest participants, Emily Blanchard, touched the people involved by raising $2,300.

The American Cancer Society said that money raised helps outreach programs, advocacy and patient services. Programs such as Reach to Recovery, which helps newly diagnosed women connect with survivors; Look Good ... Feel Better, gives women physical and mental makeovers; and 1-800-ACS-2345, offers information 24 hours a day from trained cancer information specialists.

Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.