It’s a party of pink and a sea of emotions.

That’s how Roxanne Stickney described the “Decade of Determination” Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk that drew a plethora of participants to the lakeside on the morning of Sept. 6 at Covenant Living at the Shores on Mercer Island.

For the 10th year, the senior living community’s resident life director Stickney has been leading the charge with the event that fights against breast cancer. Stickney initiated the walk after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, and this year more than 100 residents and employees joined forces in the event that included about 55 cancer survivors.

They raised $7,000 through donations for the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer research. Currently, they’re the top Seattle area fundraising team with that robust amount. They’re always in the top 10, Stickney added.

“It’s pretty special. I just can’t believe we’ve been doing it 10 years,” said Stickney, who has been cancer-free for nine years. “I guess the biggest emotion that I have is I’m proud of the campus, proud that they embrace this community organization and that they have an opportunity still to make an impact.”

Stickney is pleased to say they have raised about $47,000 for the American Cancer Society during the Shores’ 10 years worth of walks and they’re shooting for $50,000.

It’s a bonding experience between the bevy of people involved in the event, with Shores volunteers getting the word out, registering participants, handing out swag bags and more. The event also features a lively deejay, who is also a Boeing engineer and American Cancer Society volunteer.

“The one thing that I did want to make sure is to honor all our cancer survivors and celebrate them,” said Stickney, who was the American Cancer Society’s 2022 recipient of the WA State Legacy & Leadership Celebrate Lives Award.

With the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer arch and the famous pink chair on site, the participants walked, wheel-chaired or lent support during the non-competitive event with some people amassing 10 laps around the course. The event included raffles for prizes from Mioposto, Metropolitan Market, Starbucks, Island Books, local massage therapists and the Shores.

Aubrey Zoli, American Cancer Society’s senior development manager of the north region, commended Stickney and her Shores crew for running the inspirational and meaningful event for the last decade. The organization is grateful for the immense amount of donations it has received from the locals.

“These donations help fuel the mission of the American Cancer Society to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer,” Zoli said.

During the emotional and uplifting day, Stickney said she’s received many touching comments from participants that have remained in her mind.

“What I’ve heard numerous, numerous times were, ‘Thank you so much for doing this for us, for giving us an opportunity to help the community,’” she said.

From left, Covenant Living at the Shores staff drivers Tim Murphy and Bob Curtis are cancer survivors and participated in the “Decade of Determination” Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Sept. 6 at the Shores on Mercer Island. Photo courtesy of Roxanne Stickney