Laps and Laces Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Walk

This year, some 310,720 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Another 2,790 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and altogether, an estimated 2 million people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for the past three years, Darniece Carter of Walk in Them Shoes, LLC, has hosted an annual ‘Laps and Laces Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Walk’ to raise funds and awareness for these two tragic issues plaguing far too many. The event took place on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Abraham Lincoln High School, 3201 Ryan Avenue.
“This Laps and Laces charity event is our third annual Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence event,” said the visionary and organizer of Laps and Laces, Darniece Carter.
“I do this from the sincerity of my heart to bring the community together to support women who have suffered from domestic violence as well as breast cancer,” said Carter.
Carter said that each year, there are many women who have lost “their battles to breast cancer and domestic violence situations.”
Carter hosts these events not only to raise awareness but also to raise necessary financial support for programs and services that offer supportive services for women facing both domestic violence and breast cancer.
“I love to come together and create products to raise money to be able to support causes such as these,” she said.
At the Laps and Laces event were a number of survivors as well as those who wanted to be a blessing to those who are presently facing these struggles. The event also attracted pedestrians who stopped by to express their support and share stories of their own.
“A lot of us are scared to speak out and feel as if our voices aren’t heard, so when I come here and walk, I feel a little relief, I feel like I’m heard, like somebody’s really listening,” said Terry Johnson, who attended the event.
Clayvine Cooper described the walk as “a wonderful event for breast cancer awareness.”
“It’s always good to give back to those who have breast cancer as well as those who survived it,” said Cooper, who said she would be back.
“It’s very important to help find a cure for breast cancer,” she said when asked whether such events made a difference.
One might think that a breast cancer and domestic violence awareness walk would consist of all women, but such wasn’t the case. Just as both genders experienced both breast cancer and domestic violence, so did both men and women participate in the Laps and Laces walk.
“My mother died of breast cancer,” said Ronnie Stokes, one of the men who participated in the walk.
Stokes said he worked with Carter to help organize the event, and the two were close friends.
“It’s [the Laps and Laces Walk] near and dear to my heart and hers as well, so that’s why I’m here,” said Stokes.
“What we’re doing is trying to raise awareness and funding for early detection and research to help end this horrible disease.”
Carlton Brown of Wheelchair Chronicles Podcast was on hand with his wife and family. Brown, who lost the use of his legs following an auto accident that injured his spinal cord, now raises awareness through his Instagram podcast and, along with his wife and children, supports other causes such as the Laps and Laces walk.
“We honestly wanted to give back. A couple of years ago, my wife lost her grandmother, and we wanted to do something different this year,” said Brown.
“The event went pretty well, and it was good to see people come out and support,” he said.
Along with supporters and survivors were service providers who came out to support the event. Sasha Ortiz, owner of Pink Promises and DME, “a medical supply and breast cancer boutique,” was on hand distributing information about the programs and services she provides through Pink Promises & DME.
“I’m just trying to make an impact on the community,” said Ortiz.
“There are women who are going through their breast cancer journey, who might feel alone, and I’m here to journey with them and remind them that there is hope,” she said.
Ortiz knows from experience what those diagnosed require because her grandmother was also afflicted with the disease, and her mother worked in the medical treatment industry.
“We are a breast cancer boutique as well, and we also have medical supplies such as wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds. We accept all insurance, and if you don’t have insurance, we can point you in the right direction to help you find a resource to help you get insurance,” Ortiz said about Pink Promises & DME.
“We’re just here to provide hope to anyone that feels alone or that this is the end to say, ‘keep on going, stay strong, and we’re here to support you.’”
For more information about Walk in Them Shoes, LLC or the Laps and Laces Breast Cancer and Domestic Awareness Walk, visit www.walkinthemshoesllc.com.
Visit Pink Promises & D.M.E. website at: www.pinkpromisesdme.com