Jennifer Bonnani may be a chair of a fundraising committee for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k walk, but like many participants, the event is also deeply personal for her.
"I'm a breast cancer survivor," she said. "I was diagnosed in February of 2015 with stage three breast cancer."
It was during an aggressive series of treatments through the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute - including a bilateral mastectomy, seven rounds of chemotherapy and 30 days straight of radiation therapy over the course of a year and a half - that Bonnani first became involved in the Making Strides event.
As a runner, Bonnani had participated in fundraising races since high school. But during her own radiation treatments, when Bonnani was no longer able to run, she instead took part in the Making Strides walk.
"I got involved through someone in my support group," she said. "I think it's an emotional thing as well as a physical thing for the walk, with the support. It's almost a support group in itself."
Over six thousand people participated in last year's walk, Bonnani said. Registration is free, and participants who raise $100 or more earn a commemorative t-shirt. T-shirts are also given to cancer survivors, regardless of how much they've raised. And this year's run is nearing their goal of 500 registered survivors.
"There is no set limit to raise," she said. "You can just register and come out to walk. You can register the day of [the walk.] You don't have to pre-register on the website. You can also bring in any donations you receive and drop them off the day of."
The emphasis is on support and comradeship, not competition, Bonnani said.
"It is truly a walk," she said. "It is not a race. We have women going through treatment who might not be able to [finish] it. And that's okay. No one is clocking you or seeing if you completed. It's more of an emotional support. It's an uplifting experience. Very empowering. I did it last year and I cried. It's supportive. It's a sea of pink. You can see everybody who supports women."
The greatest thing about the American Cancer Society's fundraising, according to Bonnani, is that all of the money from these events goes directly to funding cancer research.
One of the drugs that she used during her own treatment, trastuzumab - known by the brand name Herceptin - was funded in part by American Cancer Society donations.
"Other organizations divide their money up, but I know the American Cancer Society that money is going straight to cancer research and funding," she said. "Without that money, I wouldn't have had the drug that helped save my life."
Bonnani is currently in the clear.
"There hasn't been any scan that has shown [cancer] anywhere in my body," she said. "I'm monitored very closely. But right now, knock on wood, we're living life as normal as possible."
"The best advice is to try and stay positive," Bonnani continued. "Keeping life going, trying to live every day to its fullest, and keep life on the path tht way you want to live it, not letting the cancer take over. And that's how I got involved in the walk. Being a little active helped a lot."
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k walk takes place on Oct. 15 at City Island in Harrisburg. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 8:30 a.m. More details can be found at American Cancer Society website.