IRVINGTON, NJ — Irvington Fire Division FMBA Local 14 Vice President Mike Scott and local firefighters have partnered with Mayor Tony Vauss, the Irvington Municipal Council, and the Police Division to host the seventh annual Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 11 a.m.
Then, on Friday, Oct. 20, at 9 a.m., Irvington’s public schools will host a districtwide annual Breast Cancer-Colon Cancer Awareness walk. District officials said this collective effort will actually take place at each individual school in town.
Both Scott and Irvington public school officials said they hope residents will come out to participate in both events.
“Registration starts at 11 a.m and we’re going to start the walk at noon. I’m hoping for a huge turnout,” said Scott of the Breast Cancer Walk on Tuesday, Oct. 3. “There are certain things that you have no control of, but when you can make a difference, why not make it happen? This is the seventh year of me doing it. We started in 2010. It wasn’t even a case of me personally knowing or being related to anyone that actually has cancer. I just felt as though Newark and other cities and towns have their own cancer walks, so why can’t Irvington have one?”
District officials said parents, staff and community are welcome to come to their event on Friday, Oct. 20. They’re asking anyone interested in participating to contact their individual school’s parent coordinator.
“All schools will begin the walk at 9 a.m.,” said Patricia Wilson, the Irvington public school community and family advocate, Tuesday, Oct. 3. “The parent coordinator will hold a Breast-Colon Cancer Awareness workshop for the parents and community thereafter in their respective school.”
Scott’s event on Sunday, Oct. 8, is scheduled to begin and end at the Fire Division Headquarters in Civic Square, and travel 1.5 miles.
“We all have to do things together,” said Scott. “If we can collaborate with the township, then that’s for the greater good. Once again, it’s about the cause. If putting the mayor’s name on it is going to make more people come out, then that’s OK with me. It’s not about me, it’s about the cause.”
Scott said he’s “hoping for a huge turnout, rain or shine.” There will also be refreshments and music.
“I think that people are hoping for more things to happen in Irvington,” said Scott. “Newark has their walk and it has grown into thousands of people coming out for a good cause. We hold ours the week before Newark does theirs, so as not to have scheduling conflicts and also to allow anyone that can’t make it to that event to come out and participate in ours and vice versa, or the one in New York or whatever. It’s all about the cause.”
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