Walk to Bust Cancer Returns Oct. 18 to Fund Mammograms and Follow-Up Care

At Fort Hunt Park, the 11th annual walk aims to raise $275,000 for mammograms, diagnostic testing and follow-up care.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The annual Walk to Bust Cancer returns Sunday, Oct. 18, with a straightforward mission: make sure a missed mammogram is never the result of someone’s income, insurance status or a particularly cruel run of bad luck.

Now in its 11th year, the Alexandria-area fundraiser supports mammograms, follow-up diagnostic testing, ultrasounds, biopsies, transportation and patient navigation for women across Northern Virginia and the DMV. The Breast Cancer Collective is aiming to raise $275,000 through walk registrations, donations and sponsorships.

A Walk With a Practical Purpose

The walk takes place at Fort Hunt Park, 8999 Fort Hunt Road. T-shirt pickup, snacks, sponsor tables and children’s activities begin at 7:30 a.m. at Pavilion 1. A welcome program and warm-up begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Circle of Strength—a moment for survivors, those in treatment and others affected by breast cancer—before the walk begins at 9 a.m.

Organizers say the need is particularly urgent as more people face lost jobs or gaps in health coverage and postpone routine appointments. Missing an annual mammogram can delay detection, while the cost of follow-up care can become another barrier.

Where the Money Goes

Walk funds go directly toward breast-health services. The organization estimates that $100 can cover a mammogram or office visit, $250 an ultrasound and $500 a biopsy. Smaller gifts can help pay for transportation or educational materials—costs that can keep someone from getting care in the first place.

The Breast Cancer Collective, formerly the National Breast Center Foundation, has made the walk one of Alexandria’s most visible breast-health fundraisers. The Zebra covered last year’s 10th anniversary walk, which celebrated a decade of support for access to screening and diagnostic care.

This year’s event is family-friendly and welcomes survivors, caregivers, friends, neighbors and anyone who wants to support early detection. Participants can walk in honor of someone, in memory of someone or simply because a neighbor should not have to choose between paying a bill and scheduling a screening.

Those unable to attend can still donate online. Every registration, donation and sponsorship helps turn a few hours at Fort Hunt Park into more mammograms, more answers and, potentially, earlier treatment.

SEO keyphrase synonyms: Alexandria Walk to Bust Cancer, Breast Cancer Collective fundraiser, Fort Hunt Park breast cancer walk, Oct. 18 charity walk Alexandria, Northern Virginia mammogram fundraiser