By Debbie Adams
A crowd of over 200 individuals (and numerous dogs) turned out on a beautiful September 7 day
for Vinton’s first Pink Warrior Walk, benefiting the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation.
Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. (photos by Debbie Adams)
Mandy Adkins, Vinton’s director of Cultural Placemaking and Events, welcomed the crowd
(mostly dressed in pink), thanking them for helping to raise awareness for a great cause. She
introduced Vinton Town Council members Sabrina McCarty and Laurie Mullins who worked on
the planning committee coordinating the walk. McCarty noted that breast cancer is the most
commonly diagnosed type of cancer in women. Mullins thanked volunteers and town staff for working tirelessly for months to organize the Pink Warrior Walk and expressed her hope that the walk would become an annual event.
Kirsta Millar, director of Policy for the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, explained to the
crowd what the foundation does and noted, “Every step we take counts in the fight against breast
cancer.”
The VBCF empowers Virginians impacted by breast cancer through access, advocacy, education,
and community action. It provides:
- Individualized resource coordination
- Free breast health educational materials
- Packets for the newly diagnosed, caregivers, and survivors
- Advocacy for better health policies and research funding
- Screening and diagnostic services for the uninsured and underinsured
Millar said that in 2022 the VBCF established a screening and diagnostic fund for those
diagnosed with cancer in Southwest Virginia, which experiences a cancer rate twice that of the
rest of Virgina. The fund, which has grown to $490,000, has served 583 women thus far.
Millar was also waiting at the finish line to present medals to all those who finished the race.
Jeff Ramsey from the Moose Lodge talked about the Moose organization and the members’
dedication to the community. He described national and local charities they contribute to and
needs that they meet. When the club heard about the Pink Warrior Walk, they “jumped on the
opportunity” to participate, especially since one of their own members had been diagnosed in
2023. He concluded his remarks with, “Tonight, I walk for Angie Johnson.”
cancer.
Johnson, including Angie Chewning, Kathleen Johnson, Carolyn Mills, Angie Johnson, Helen
Curtis, Sharon Llewellyn, Kim Barker, Jeff Ramsey, Angie Johnson’s husband Kyle, Kimberley
Hunter, and Heather Balsley.
The walk (a choice of either 1.5 or 3 miles) kicked off late in the afternoon from, and returned to,
the Vinton Farmers’ Market with a route along Walnut Avenue and the Glade Creek Greenway.
Members of the Vinton Police Department on bikes escorted the walkers on their journey.
The 200+ walkers included cancer survivors and groups walking in honor or memory of friends
or family members. Melissa Perdue passed away from breast cancer in February 2024. Eighteen
members of her family plus several friends walked in her memory. The group had gotten to
know one another as Rail Yard Dawg hockey fans.
memory.
Members of the Moose Lodge 1121, title sponsor for the event, walked in honor of member
Angie Johnson, a breast cancer survivor who walked the route with them.
Other sponsors included the Town of Vinton, the Vinton Area Chamber of Commerce, The
Conner Group, Grand Storage of Vinton, Kroger, and Twin Creeks Brewing Company.
Twin Creeks hosted an after-walk event with live music on their CreekBank Pavilion stage from
the OddFellows Band. The brewing company also created a special pink beer for the day as a
fundraiser.
featuring the OddFellows band.
There were events for the kids – a bouncy house, face painting, and games – and several vendors,
food trucks and more.
This community-focused event aimed not only to raise funds for breast cancer support services,
but also to unite the community in a shared commitment to health and wellness. All proceeds
from the event will go to the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation.
“We were thrilled with the results of the first annual Pink Warrior Walk presented by the Vinton
Moose Lodge,” said Adkins. “It was a wonderful evening raising awareness and honoring those
who have been impacted by breast cancer. The Town of Vinton appreciated all of the support
from the event sponsors, volunteers, and staff that worked hard to make the event a success.
Thank you to all our community members who participated. We are already looking forward to
next year.”
(See more photos from the Pink Warrior event on the Vinton Messenger Facebook page, posted on Sept. 9)