The American Cancer Society is inviting neighbors across central Maine to celebrate breast cancer survivors and those facing the disease. While social distancing will prevent Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Damariscotta from hosting its annual walk at downtown Damariscotta, this year community members are invited to decorate their cars in pink and take rides to fight breast cancer. 
 
There is no admission fee, but you must register at http://bit.ly/PinkParadeDamariscotta. Participants must remain in their cars for the entire event.

“We envision a future where our children will no longer live with the threat of breast cancer, but unfortunately, that future is at risk,” said Louise Santosuosso, ACS executive director. “We can’t and won’t allow progress to be put on hold because of COVID-19. At risk are more and better treatments and discoveries that will improve and save lives.”

The Damariscotta event is Saturday, Oct. 17, rain or shine, at 1 p.m. Cars will gather at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle. The route is two miles long: Left out of the school parking lot onto Academy Hill Road, straight onto Main Street, across the river into Damariscotta, stay on Main Street, then left into Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust. The end will be at Coastal Rivers Farm, Damariscotta. 

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Damariscotta typically is a three-mile, non-competitive walk which raises awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer. 
 
Dollars raised by Making Strides events help ACS ensure no one faces breast cancer alone, by funding innovative breast cancer research, promoting education and risk reduction and providing comprehensive patient support to those who need it most. 
 
Since 1993 when the event was founded in New England, more than 16 million Making Strides supporters nationwide have raised more than $90 million. Last year, approximately 100 walkers at the Damariscotta event raised approximately $48,000. For more information, visit www.Facebook.com/DamariscottaStrides