Survivors, friends, family and supporters. Some walk with determination, others in defiance. Some walk in memory. But for the past 21 years, every September, they gather at the Tanger Outlets mall in Riverhead to walk, raising funds for breast cancer research and awareness of a disease that affects too many local residents .
The event, which today drew nearly 300 walkers, benefits the North Fork Breast Health Coalition, an organization founded in 1998 by Ann Cotten-DeGrasse and her late husband Antonio. The nonprofit coalition provides free services and support to breast cancer patients and survivors on the North Fork and works to raise awareness of the issues faced by those battling the disease.
The North Fork Breast Health Coaltion offers free yoga, massage therapy, reflexology and support groups. Its newly dedicated Rita Duva Boutique provides wigs, scarves, prosthetics and other items to local breast cancer patients and survivors. The coalition also makes cash grants to patients and survivors to help them with expenses related to treatment or general support. 
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. 25 and lasts through the month of October, which is national breast cancer awareness month.
Tanger shoppers can join the fight against breast cancer by purchasing an unlimited-use “Pink Savings Card” for $10, which entitles them to 25% on any item at participating stores. Proceeds from the sale of pink cards go directly to the beneficiary organizations.
Since 1994, Tanger has contributed more than $17 million to to breast cancer research through the PinkSTYLE Campaign and other breast cancer-related fundraising events across the country, according to a company press release.
Opening ceremonies before the walk stepped off this morning included a color guard from Mattituck/Southold NJROTC, an invocation offered by Riverhead Councilman James Wooten, and an appearance by News 12 meteorologist Rich Hoffman. Riverhead Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith, council members Catherine Kent and Jodi Giglio and County Legislator Sarah Anker were also on hand for the walk.
Walkers in today’s 5K made two laps around Tanger I and a lap around Tanger II before returning to the starting point, where the results of the annual event raffle are posted. This year there were 104 baskets raffled plus 15 grand prizes including Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Vera Bradley bags, Samsonite luggage, and a smart TV.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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