A special event to help community members kick-start their involvement in this year’s 14th Annual Support-A-Walk for breast and ovarian cancer. Support Connection will hold two free “Friends &Family Rallies,” one in Putnam, one in Westchester, featuring everything you need to know to be a part of the Support-A-Walk.

The theme for the Friends and Family Rallies is “The More the Merrier.” The Rallies will feature ideas about bringing in new participants and finding new ways to make this year’s Support-A-Walk the best one ever. There will be presentations by experienced Team Captains who’ll share their expertise. Registration materials, flyers and other outreach materials will be available. Information about forming Walk teams, participating as an individual, and volunteer opportunities will be available. Each Rally will include refreshments and musical entertainment, with babysitting and face painting for the children.

The Putnam Friends and Family Rally is on July 15, from 6-8 pm, at Putnam Ridge, 46 Mt. Ebo Rd., Brewster. The Westchester Friends and Family Rally is on July 24, from 6-8 pm, at Soundview Preparatory School, 370 Underhill Ave., Yorktown Heights.

The Rallies will help the community get ready for the 14th Annual Support-A-Walk to be held on October 5, 2008 at FDR State Park, Yorktown Heights, NY. The three-mile walkathon is held in the fall each year to increase awareness about breast and ovarian cancer, and to raise funds for Support Connection’s free support programs and services. The date is selected in honor of National Ovarian Awareness Cancer Month in September and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Many participants walk in honor of loved ones who have been affected by these diseases. Each year, thousands of area residents participate.