Every year, the ARD Walk Run is more than just a fundraiser — we come together to honor the women at the heart of our mission: breast cancer survivors.

This year, we made it a priority to pause the celebration, quiet the noise, and make space for deep recognition. Too often, the resilience of Black women facing breast cancer is celebrated in passing — we wanted to celebrate it out loud, in full color, and with real gifts of gratitude.

Thanks to the generous in-kind support of one of our donors, we were able to gift our honored survivors with curated goodie bags filled with self-care items, snacks, and heartfelt tokens of appreciation.

As survivors crossed the finish line or simply soaked in the support of the crowd, volunteers personally handed them their bags and offered hugs, cheers, and tears of joy. The moment became a beautiful reminder that healing is not just medical — it’s community, care, and celebration.

When we honor survivors, we’re reminding the world that their journey didn’t end with diagnosis or treatment. They continue to lead, love, and inspire. That’s worth celebrating — every day.