Monique Ambers

Thousands of people participated in the American Cancer Society’s 12th annual Making Strides against Cancer walk on Sunday. And the Sacramento Monarchs organization was one of many supporting the cause by setting up its annual Youth Against Cancer Kids Zone.

“We’re a basketball league for women and young girls coming up,” Assistant Coach Monique Ambers said as she took a break from the morning festivities. “Breast cancer is always a factor for women, so I think it’s good for us to get the word out.”

The Kids Zone included an arts and crafts table where teenage volunteers painted pink breast cancer ribbons on children’s faces and helped create bookmarks and flags to cheer people crossing the finish line of the five-kilometer walk.

In addition, a basketball hoop was in place where children and adults of all ages shot free throws. Ambers and Monarchs legend Ruthie Bolton rebounded balls and offered free throw shooting tips to those at the charity stripe. Make or miss, everyone received a prize.

“I think it’s fabulous,” third-generation breast cancer survivor Rachelle Burfict said of the Monarchs presence. “My daughter came out to the booth last year and played basketball. She got a huge picture and a couple autographs, which was great.”

Ruthie Bolton

Burfict, who discovered she had the disease when she was just 27-years-old, was one of many affected by breast cancer present at the Monarchs station. Like her, a handful of women were more than gracious to share their story, too.

“I thought my life was over,” 13-year breast cancer survivor Jo Paschon said. “I was in treatment for nine months and I called a volunteer with the American Cancer Society all the time to ask questions. It was a great resource.”

Like Paschon, the ACS’s strategic director of marketing communications in Northern California, Andrea Barish, also experienced a breast cancer struggle. Barish, who is present at the Making Strides walk in Sacramento every year, discovered she had the disease two years ago.

“After I joined the American Cancer Society, I was diagnosed five months afterward,” Barish said as she stood on the edge of the Capitol lawn. “So it was a pretty interesting process to learn about the Society at the same time I was learning about breast cancer from a personal level.”

From her own battle, she found firsthand how cancer affects more than those dealing with the disease.

“For me personally, it was harder on my family than it was on me,” Barish said. “Because I had a sense that I was just going to get through it. But it’s harder for the people around you because they want to help and they’re not sure what to do.”

Edna Campbell

Monarchs fans can relate to the ordeal experienced by Barish’s relatives and friends. More than six years have passed since former Monarchs great Edna Campbell was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“She’s really just such an inspiration with all the things she’s gone through,” Bolton said of her old teammate after signing autographs. “And for her to get back on the court dealing with that battle really put things in perspective for me.”

Campbell’s fight against the disease affected not only her teammates. It also touched the Monarchs coaching staff.

“It was a big deal for me to know someone in my age group with breast cancer,” Ambers said recalling Campbell’s battle. “She was an athlete and in tip-top shape and to go through that really kind of hit home for me.”

Although her playing days are through, Campbell’s impact on her former teammate and assistant coach is apparent. They both know their status as well-known figures in the Sacramento community can bring awareness to issues such as breast cancer.

“I feel I can make a difference off the court as I did on the court by supporting events like this,” Bolton said. “It’s easy for me to do, and being able to give back is just as important as playing the game.”“We’re looked at as mentors anyway,” Ambers added. “So anytime we can come out and support positive functions like this, it’s a great thing.”

One out of every eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the ACS. That is why the Making Strides walk is important to the Monarchs and their effort in making a positive and lasting impact on the Sacramento region.