Photos: 20th Annual North Fork Breast Health Coalition 5K Walk at Tanger Outlets

The 20th annual North Fork Breast Health Coalition 5K Walk at Tanger Outlets took place this morning with a record number of participants making the trek around the outlet mall to raise awareness and raise money to help local breast cancer patients.

With a 150-person bump from a team assembled by Wendy Zuhoski of Wendy’s Deli in Mattituck, the 450 registered walkers set a record for the event initiated in 1999. Zuhoski sprang into action when her sister-in-law, Melanie McEvoy Zuhoski — a two-time breast cancer survivor, longtime board member and vice president of NFBHC — asked her to help promote the event.

“So I did,” Zuhoski said grinning. “In secret,” she added.

She managed to round up a team of 150 eager walkers, who wore bright pink T-shirts emblazoned with a Wendy’s Deli logo.

“It’s amazing — She’s amazing,” said McEvoy this morning before the walk began.

McEvoy, 49, of Laurel, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2010. She had a recurrence in January. She finished up chemo and radiation this summer. “I’m happy to be done with it,” she said, “and I’m gonna be fine!”

Ann Cotten-DeGrasse, who founded the North Fork Breast Health Coalition with her late husband Antonio, tearfully recalled how the walk got started. They were out to dinner at the Cooperage Inn, she said. Antonio, spotted Tanger Outlets general manager Janine Nebons in the restaurant. He struck up a conversation with his fellow Rotarian and they began talking about the coalition.

“Janine said Tanger was looking for a breast cancer awareness month event to sponsor,” Cotten-DeGrasse recalled. “And that’s how the walk was born.”

The funds raised by the walk help the coalition to support local breast cancer survivors, providing free services, like yoga, reflexology and massage and cash grants. McEvoy said NFBHC has distributed over $300,000 in grants since its founding. The grants help survivors with expenses related to treatment or general support.

Nebons retired in May and the 20th anniversary walk was the first one without her helping to organize it. Her successor as Tanger general manager, Leslie Anthony, who worked under Nebons for many years, said her mentor prepared her well to take charge of the event.

Tanger also sponsors a month-long “Tanger Pink” fundraising promotion that benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and, locally, the North Fork Breast Health Coalition and Peconic Bay Medical Center. The promotion begins Sept. 26 and lasts through the month of October, which is national breast cancer awareness month. Proceeds from the sale of pink cards go directly to the fundraiser and the pink card entitles holders to discounts at participating outlet stores.

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti