Bridge to Hope walk keeps growing in popularity

HOULTON, Maine — Five years after it started, support for the annual Bridge to Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Walk has generated a good deal of support in the greater Houlton area and beyond.
Cathy Kennedy, a Merrill resident, said she started the walk five years ago when her husband’s two aunts were being treated for breast cancer. Seeing how the walk has grown, Kennedy said she is “amazed and thrilled” at the success and doesn’t think she would have been able to keep it going by herself.
Starting out “was hard,” said Kennedy. “I was scared to death. It started with a committee and I ended up by myself. But, I really wanted it to happen. I got information from other people who had done walks and found out what was needed to make it legal. We had about 50 walkers the first year and it has doubled in size.”
Kim Folsom said she, too, is pleased with the growing support of the walk. Initially, Folsom, a breast cancer survivor, was involved as a participant following her diagnosis. Now the Houlton resident is an organizer of the event.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Elna Seabrooks
TASK REVIEW — Volunteers, from left, Dee Henderson, Cathy Kennedy and Kim Folsom go over details to publicize the Bridge to Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on Saturday, Oct. 16.
Folsom’s sister, Dee Henderson of Houlton, said she and Folsom signed up to be volunteers the first year. Now it’s an annual event for them. Armed with posters for store windows and sign-up sheets for the walk, Henderson added that she was going to take some of the materials to her office to make sure her co-workers signed up as well.
Registration for the Bridge to Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Walk starts Saturday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m. at Riverfront Park prior to the walk that starts at 10 a.m. Folsom said walkers are invited to participate and are not required to have a sponsor or make a donation.