Pink wigs, boas, hats, boots and tutus were all on display at the Pink-a-Boo Walk of Hope on Sunday, Oct. 16.
The festively dressed walkers at Cancer Support Center’s fall fundraiser took off from the parking lot around 9:30 a.m. to complete either a 1K or 5K walk around Homewood. They returned to hot pizza from Aurelio’s, brought from the Homewood restaurant by Sue Aurelio herself.
Verna Robinson, third from left, was the highest individual fundraiser with $5,500. (Provided photo)
CSC Executive Director Kathleen Daly said although the walk is during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, it raises money for programs and services available to people affected by all cancers.
“Having it in October enlivens the breast cancer community, which is great. But the walk is for everyone affected by cancer, and there’s always an emphasis on support,” Daly said. “Our participants are so passionate. They really make this event what it is.”
The largest group of walkers dedicated their team efforts to Dorothy J. Johnson, who died on Sept. 28 after fighting cancer since 2009. Walkers of Faith raised more than $12,000 for CSC, the most of any team, and chanted “Dorothy! Dorothy!” as they accepted recognition for their donation.
A Cancer Support Center volunteer, Johnson founded the Sistas of Hope support group for African-American women fighting and surviving cancer. Daly said Johnson loved the Walk of Hope, and the impact of her legacy was on display at this year’s event.
“From the time Walk of Hope started, it has been a place of such connection and support, a place for families to come together to celebrate survivorship, to mourn anyone they’ve lost, to really commune together and all put their force behind this cause and anyone who is being impacted by cancer,” Daly said. “No one did that more in the last 10-plus years than Ms. Dorothy Johnson.”
This year CSC renamed its award for the top individual Walk of Hope fundraiser in Johnson’s honor. Johnson’s granddaughter presented the Spirit of Dorothy Johnson Award to Verna Robinson, who raised more than $5,500.
Robinson accepted the award decked out in pink Viking horns and a full-body pink ribbon.
“The spirit of Dorothy Johnson will live on not only through this award, but in each and every one of you because every year we will bring that same love, excitement and celebration of survivorship that Dorothy afforded to each of us,” Robinson said.
Johnson retired several years ago as a clerk for the Village of Homewood.
Cousin Tracie Porter described Johnson as “tenacious, in a joyful way.” Porter attended many Sistas of Hope meetings, and said Johnson stood out as a mentor and educator, while also developing those qualities in others.
A Cook County Circuit Court judge, Porter participated on the Walkers of Faith team alongside her colleague Judge Kristal Rivers.
“We did the walk in Dorothy’s memory because this is what she was passionate about,” Porter said. “I will do this walk every year, no matter where I am in the world.”
Participating for the fifth consecutive year were the owners of Epiq Nutrition in Homewood, Isabel and Erbey Solis. Isabel is living with leukemia, and said they also walk in honor of her aunt, who has been fighting breast cancer for six years.
Their friend Keneta Thompson and some young family members traversed the Walk of Hope course alongside the Solises.
“We like that it’s something healthy, to get us up and moving, coming out to support everyone,” Isabel said.
As they enjoyed after-walk treats, participants cheered on The Chosen One, a Michael Jackson dance impersonator who performed classic choreography to “Thriller” and “Billie Jean.”
To match the event’s theme, Pop Culture popcorn supplied 200 bags of white chocolate strawberry popcorn, paid for by Illinois Rep. Will Davis (D-Hazel Crest). Davis and Pop Culture co-owner Kendall Jackson handed out the white and pink popcorn personally to participants.
Davis said he has been a supporter of CSC for years, and he is glad to see an increase in the number of African-American participants at Walk for Hope events.
“They are trying to remove the stigma that many African-Americans have about getting support,” Davis said.
“Cancer doesn’t see race or ethnicity. Many in the African-American community suffer in silence. This place is working hard to show people that they’re supported no matter who they are. There are people who understand you, and who are compassionate.”