By Jeannette Lindenman

It is very likely that most of us have been impacted by breast cancer – whether it be ourselves, a relative, or friend.  Still, the statistics are staggering:

• About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 13%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. 
• In 2022, an estimated 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 51,400 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer.
• About 2,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2022. A man’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 833.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. In 2022, it’s estimated that about 30% of newly diagnosed cancers in women will be breast cancers. 
• Breast cancer became the most common cancer globally as of 2021, accounting for 12% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
  This information is provided by Breastcancer.org.  

We could go on and on.  But what can we do?  How can we help?  

Pink Up the Pace is a local organization founded by two breast cancer survivors, Cindy Ortiz Chacona and Amy Kaelin.  The mission of the organization is to bring awareness to breast cancer through the importance of early detection, and to raise money for imaging services for breast cancer detection.  Read more at PinkUpThePace.com

The annual Pink Up the Pace Expo and 5k Walk/Run is right around the corner!  This is the largest 5K in our area, with over 2900 participants raising over $50,000 in 2019!  Let’s help make 2022 another successful year!  

SPOONBILL KNOCKERS is a group that has been formed to represent all residents and friends of Marsh Creek.  Please consider joining our group and representing Marsh Creek in this fun event!  Help us make a difference in the lives of women and men in our community!

          PLEASE JOIN US!  

Pink Up the Pace Expo and 5k Walk/Run 

                    DATE:                          Saturday, OCTOBER 1ST 8AM – 12PM

                    LOCATION:                 10 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL US 32084

                    Runners, walkers, strollers and pets are all welcome!

                    USE THIS LINK TO JOIN OUR GROUP:  REGISTRATION LINK

                    NO FUNDRAISING REQUIRED!  Your race registration fee $45 ($25 for Breast Cancer Survivors) is your donation.   

                    Of course, additional donations are graciously accepted, but not required.  DONATE HERE

SPOONBILL KNOCKERS is also a new group within Spoonbill Neighbors.  A Spoonbill member, Jeannette Lindenman, became involved in a group called Knitted Knockers (knittedknockers.org), after her 26-year-old daughter-in-law underwent a double mastectomy and treatment for triple negative breast cancer in 2020.  

If you knit or crochet, or would like to learn, please consider joining our group, SPOONBILL KNOCKERS! Call or text Jeannette Lindenman 847-533-4788, or Lorri Maloney 410-708-8366.

Spoonbill Knockers will also be participating in the Pink Up The Pace Expo on September 30th.  We will have plenty of knockers to give away to anyone who has experienced a mastectomy.

KnittedKnockers.org is active in 14+ countries across the globe, and they make free, comfy breast prosthetics for women who have undergone a mastectomy.  Our group has made dozens of knockers and have supported Cancer Specialists of Northeast Florida and Bosom Buddies of Jacksonville.  

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  

A planning meeting for the new Spoonbill Knockers group as well as for the 5k walk/run is planned for:

                    September 6th at 6pm

                    400 Misty Morning Lane

                    RSVP Jeannette 847-533-4788.  

If you cannot attend this meeting but are still interested in participating in either the Pink Up The Pace 5k Walk/Run, or our Spoonbill Knockers group, please contact Jeannette (jlindenman@comcast.net).