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Next Saturday morning is the 25th annual Shelter Island 5K run/walk to benefit breast cancer awareness, support and treatment across the East End. (Photo courtesy of Louise Clark)

Breast cancer is a disease that touches practically everyone.

Either you or someone you know will be affected by it, at one point or another, as one in eight women in the United States (according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation) will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.

It’s the most common cancer in women in the U.S. (excluding skin cancers) and this year alone there’ll be about 310,720 new cases. The fact that it’s one of those things that tends to hit close to home for most people is precisely the reason for the existence of a handful of organizations here on the East End, each set with the mission of spreading awareness and support for women’s cancers.

Hundreds of East Enders of all ages participate in the annual Shelter Island 5K Run/Walk. (Photo courtesy of Louise Clark)

Next Saturday morning, on Oct. 19, all are welcome to gather at Crescent Beach where the 25th Annual Shelter Island 5K Run/Walk begins. All proceeds benefit three local organizations — Lucia’s Angels, the North Fork Breast Health Coalition and the Coalition for Women’s Cancers at Southampton Hospital — all with the aim of helping women on the East End fight breast and gynecological cancer.

Since its inception, the 5K has raised about $700,000, according to Mary Ellen Adipietro, president and founder of the race. And like it is with so many great ideas, the one for the 5K was born at the dinner table, fittingly, amongst a group of girlfriends.

“A group of us were sitting around the dinner table,” Adipietro says, “having a girls night and one of us started talking about how she had breast cancer and was going through treatments.”

Recalling there had been a women’s 5K race on the island during the month of October back in the 1980’s, Adipietro and about a half dozen of her gal pals thought it would be a good idea to bring it back and repurpose it as more than just a recreational race.

“More than 25 years ago, I received a phone call from Mary Ellen, who shared her idea of organizing a run/walk on Shelter Island to support women on the North and south Forks,” says Susie Roden, president of the Coalition of Women’s Cancers, in a press release. “At the time, I didn’t know Mary Ellen, but I agreed to visit her house the following evening. To be honest, I was a nervous wreck — meeting people I didn’t know, unsure of what to expect or their level of experience. Did they even know how to organize a 5K? I certainly didn’t.”

But it didn’t matter, as women tend to stick together, especially in times of trouble. A couple years after Adipietro and her band of dedicated colleagues and friends spearheaded the newly revamped 5K for breast cancer, their cause got a huge boost from Shelter Island resident Linda Zavatto, who would become one of the most productive fundraisers for the run/walk. Because of Zavatto’s efforts, particularly her tenacity and vast network of people thanks to her property management and house cleaning business, Zavatto has singlehandedly raised over $8,000 annually, at least, for 21 of the 23 years she’s participated.

“I started doing this because of my mother,” she says. Zavatto’s mom, Virginia, died of breast cancer in December 1989 when she was only 60 years old. “They had none of these services, none of these organizations then that they do now,” she says. “These organizations do some pretty huge things. It’s made such a difference.”

Today, thanks to the support of the Shelter Island 5K, Lucia’s Angels assists over 25 women each year with breast and/or gynecological cancers living on the East End, says Stacy Quarty, president of Lucia’s Angels. Money raised from the 5K has also allowed for the Coalition for Women’s Cancers to host a three-day retreat for breast and gynecological cancer survivors in the local community. While there were 300 participants at the 5K’s inaugural year, there are usually between 500 and 700 participants annually, according to Adipietro, with 30 to 50 of the participants cancer survivors.

“From the beginning it’s been very successful,” she says. “And both coalitions have been very encouraging. It’s such a nice race that really encompasses all of the East End.”

The 25th annual Shelter Island 5K run/walk starts at 11 a.m. on October 19, rain or shine, at 35 Shore Road. Entry is $45 for adults in advance, $50 day-of and $25 for kids under 12 in advance, $30 day-of. Click here to register. Tickets will also be available for a 50/50 raffle with prizes to a bunch of East End restaurants and shops. Participants will receive T-shirts, bibs and may enjoy post race refreshments as well as a complimentary barbecue (while supplies last). To make a donation or become a sponsor contact [email protected]. For more information, call 631-774-9499.

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