Every October, we see a sea of pink. Ribbons, campaigns, and reminders that it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. But at Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer (TBBC), we’ve come to think of it in the same way many other survivors do. We call it Breast Cancer Action Month. In fact, last year we had an entire campaign around this time about how awareness isn’t enough. Not anymore.
Action is what makes the difference—action that brings people together, supports wellness, and funds the resources that help young people not just survive breast cancer, but truly thrive well beyond it.
This year, we’re taking action a step further with a National Virtual 5K.
When I think about this 5K, I not only remember my personal experience fighting breast cancer; I also picture the faces of so many young women I’ve met through TBBC. Like me, all of them were just starting careers, families, or graduate school when cancer turned their lives upside down. The bills didn’t stop coming. The kids didn’t stop needing parenting. The treatments kept getting harder. And yet—they kept moving forward.
This 5K isn’t about speed or distance. It’s about moving in honor of them. It’s about showing up with our steps, our stories, and our support. I’ll be moving with my husband and daughter but you can move with coworkers, friends, family, or even alone if you prefer!
How It Works:
You don’t need to be a runner. You can walk your dog, push a stroller, bike with a friend, or hike your favorite trail. Anytime, anywhere—your 5 kilometers are yours to define.
When you register, we’ll send you an official TBBC 5K tee. And every time you wear it—whether for your 5K or just around town—you’re sending a message: I stand with young adults facing breast cancer.
Why It Matters:
Here’s the truth most people don’t realize: one in eight breast cancer diagnoses happens before age 40. And that number is growing. These young patients often face more aggressive disease, harder decisions, and bigger financial strain.
That’s why TBBC exists—and why this 5K matters. Every registration directly funds our programs: financial assistance, mental health support, and wellness resources designed specifically for young adults navigating breast cancer.
So please join us this October, as we lace up our shoes and move for every young adult who’s ever had to hear the words, “You have breast cancer.”
I hope you’ll join me. Register here for the TBBC Virtual 5K.
Bess Hagans, Executive Director
