CCWF walks to support breast cancer survivors

On Oct. 12, 2024 the dedicated Comfort Care volunteers hosted a Breast Cancer Walk on the Main Yard for the incarcerated individuals at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF).

The walk was planned by Erica Olson and Giselle Esteban, two veteran Comfort Care workers committed to providing support and resources on breast cancer detection, treatment and recovery.

For Esteban, this event has special meaning since she lost her mother to invasive metastatic breast cancer. For her, promoting breast cancer awareness and serving others is a way to pay homage to the caregivers that took care of her mom as she battled cancer.

Erica Olson, a Comfort Care volunteer since 2015 said this year’s Breast Cancer’ Walk has special meaning because she was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Olson wanted to remind people who face cancer that “You are not alone. The Comfort Care team is here for you to provide love and support because cancer can be very lonely.”

About a dozen beautiful posters and banners created by Comfort Care worker Destanie Hinzo were hung around the outside walls of the Recreation Gym area by the track. They were painted in shades of pink and white and black reminding us to fight, have faith and keep searching for a cure. Some were whimsical and some were inspirational but they served to set the mood. Hinzo puts a piece of herself in every piece of art she creates. She got emotional recalling how she connects with the struggles the women are going through, especially when I was painting the poster with boxing gloves that said “Her fight is my fight!”

Here they filled out their paper placard where they could choose to walk in honor of or in memory of someone fighting breast cancer. Once filled out the placard was worn around the neck. Participants were also given beautiful pink and yellow butterfly and flower wands that were handcrafted by Angelica Garcia-Morteo. Most were promptly placed into the hairstyles of the individual.

Another table was filled with assorted informational pamphlets and fact sheets from the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Foundation regarding breast cancer. These flyers detailed statistics regarding the prevalence and rates of breast cancer in the U.S., as well as how to perform a proper self-breast exam every month. Peer Support Specialists were also on hand to answer questions and hand out information.

Participants were grateful for the opportunity to be able to attend. Viancia Roberson said she’s been participating in Breast Cancer Walks since 1990 in Sacramento, so it meant a lot to be able to continue the tradition at CCWF. She has lost five loved ones to breast cancer and has two more going through chemotherapy. She “will continue to help them fight.”

Outside guests were also present to provide information, support and visit with the event participants. Several members of the Sisterhood of Survivors Group attended the walk and spoke with individuals sharing their stories of resilience. The Sisterhood of Survivors are committed to providing assistance to those newly diagnosed and provides “on-going support to those affected by breast cancer through peer support and educational resources.”

Yet another table was supervised by a dedicated staff sponsor who oversaw participants signing “trust account withdrawal orders,” forms that allow incarcerated individuals to send money to individuals or entities in the community. Walk participants were given the opportunity to donate any amount to a local charity that helps women battling breast cancer. Participants did not get anything in return. The money donated was purely altruistic and allowed individuals at CCWF to help fight a disease that is so prevalent among women.

One participant was inspired to share her message of hope and resilience on the microphone. Jojo, a three-time breast cancer survivor with an extensive family history of the disease, told everybody, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up. I value my life and I’m going to beat this.”