October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and New York City shows up in full pink every year. Across all five boroughs, thousands of survivors, caregivers, families, and community supporters lace up their sneakers and walk together for one shared purpose: to end breast cancer. In 2026, the city’s schedule of walks and fundraising events is stronger than ever, with two major national organizations leading the charge from iconic New York venues.
Whether you are a survivor, a first-time walker, a corporate team leader, or someone who simply wants to do something meaningful this October, this guide has everything you need to know.
Why These Walks Matter
Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the United States across their lifetime. In a single year, hundreds of thousands of new diagnoses are made, and tens of thousands of lives are lost. Every dollar raised at a community walk goes directly toward research, patient services, treatment access, and advocacy.
Walking is more than a gesture. It funds the science that develops better treatments. It funds the programs that give rides to patients who cannot drive themselves to chemotherapy and the helplines that answer calls at midnight. Additionally, it tells every survivor in the crowd that they are not alone.
Therefore, joining a walk in 2026 is one of the most direct ways any New Yorker can contribute to this fight.
2026 NYC Breast Cancer Walk Events at a Glance
| Event | Date | Borough | Location |
| Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure | Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Manhattan | Foley Square, 111 Worth St, New York, NY 10013 |
| Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Central Park | October 2026 (date TBC) | Manhattan | Central Park |
| Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Brooklyn | October 2026 (date TBC) | Brooklyn | Coney Island Boardwalk |
| Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Queens | October 2026 (date TBC) | Queens | TBC |
| Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Bronx | October 2026 (date TBC) | Bronx | Bay Plaza Shopping Center, 200 Baychester Ave |
| Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Staten Island | October 2026 (date TBC) | Staten Island | TBC |
Registration for all American Cancer Society Making Strides events opens at MakingStridesWalk.org. Specific 2026 dates for the boroughs outside Manhattan will be confirmed and posted there as October approaches.
Manhattan: Two Major Walks in One Month
Manhattan hosts the two most prominent breast cancer walks in the city, both drawing enormous crowds and raising millions of dollars combined.
Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure
The 36th Annual Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Foley Square, located at 111 Worth St in lower Manhattan. This year carries a special addition. Participants will walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, making the 2026 edition one of the most visually spectacular in the event’s history.
The day begins with on-site registration opening at 8:00 a.m. The Race Day Opening Ceremony starts at 9:15 a.m. The race and walk begin at 9:30 a.m. Two powerful community moments happen earlier in the morning: the Hope Village Celebration at 8:30 a.m. honors people living with metastatic breast cancer, and the Pathway of Hope and Survivor Parade begins at 9:00 a.m.
Registration fees are $40 for adults and $30 for youth under 18. Both in-person and virtual participation options are available. Participants who register by September 27, 2026 will receive their event shirt by mail before race day. Shirts will not be available for pickup at the venue. To receive a timing chip and qualify for the 5K route results, participants must select and pay for that option during registration.
Pace University has served as the largest college team at this event for 36 consecutive years. The event aims to raise significant funds for Komen’s research programs and its Patient Care Center, which provides breast health information, support, and treatment navigation resources to people across the country.
To register or donate, visit komen.org/community/new-york.
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Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Central Park
The Making Strides walk in Central Park is the American Cancer Society’s flagship New York City event and one of the most attended breast cancer walks in the entire country. In a recent edition, 50,000 participants walked through the park and raised nearly two million dollars in a single morning.
The walk is free to join, though participants are encouraged to fundraise in support of the American Cancer Society. Registration is available at MakingStridesWalk.org, and online sign-up is strongly recommended for faster check-in on the day. The event runs rain or shine.
The exact 2026 date for the Central Park walk has not yet been announced. Based on prior years, the event typically takes place on a Sunday morning in mid to late October. Check MakingStridesWalk.org and the ACS website regularly for the confirmed date and event details as October approaches.
Brooklyn: Walk the Coney Island Boardwalk
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Brooklyn takes place along the iconic Coney Island Boardwalk, starting near 1904 Surf Ave in Brooklyn. The setting is one of the most distinctive of any breast cancer walk in the country. The ocean air, the wide boardwalk, and the sense of community make this walk a favorite for Brooklyn families, school groups, and community organizations.
The walk typically starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends around 11:30 a.m. Brooklyn College has long organized a team for this walk and remains one of its most active community participants. Additionally, schools across Brooklyn, including PS 131 and PS 200, mobilize staff and community members every year to walk together in pink.
Registration is free. Participants can sign up through MakingStridesWalk.org. The confirmed 2026 date will be posted there as the event approaches.
Locate it on Google Maps:
Queens: A Borough That Walks Strong
Queens is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse boroughs in the world, and its breast cancer awareness community reflects that strength. Schools such as PS 19, PS 81, and PS 97 have a proud tradition of participating in awareness walks and pink-day events. In a particularly moving moment from a previous year, a teacher at PS 97 in Queens joined her students and colleagues for a breast cancer awareness walk the day after she finished chemotherapy, receiving flowers from those around her.
The Making Strides event in Queens is expected to return in October 2026. The confirmed venue and date will be listed at MakingStridesWalk.org closer to the event. If you live or work in Queens and want to start a team, you can do so directly through the ACS fundraising platform at any time.
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The Bronx: Bay Plaza Shopping Center
The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in the Bronx takes place at Bay Plaza Shopping Center, located at 200 Baychester Ave in the Bronx. The event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and is free to attend.
Bay Plaza is a well-connected venue, accessible by multiple bus lines and the No. 5 subway. For residents in the northern and eastern Bronx, this is the most convenient walk option in the borough. The Bronx event has historically drawn strong participation from local schools, health networks, and community organizations, including IS 339.
The confirmed 2026 date will be posted at MakingStridesWalk.org. For questions, the American Cancer Society contact line is 800-227-8345.
Open The Location in Google Maps:
Staten Island: Community at the Heart of the Walk
Staten Island participates in the Making Strides movement each October, with the event organized in partnership with the American Cancer Society and local community sponsors. The borough’s walk typically draws neighbors, families, cancer survivors, and healthcare workers who gather to show their support and raise money for research and patient services.
The confirmed venue and date for the 2026 Staten Island walk will be announced at MakingStridesWalk.org. If you would like to form a team representing your school, workplace, or community group, registration opens early and teams can begin fundraising immediately after signing up.
Check Directions on Google Maps:
How to Prepare and What to Expect on Walk Day
Whether you are attending your first walk or your tenth, a little preparation goes a long way.
- Register online in advance at MakingStridesWalk.org or komen.org for faster check-in on the day.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes. Most routes run three to five miles.
- Dress in layers. October mornings in New York can be cool, especially near the water or in the park.
- Bring water and a light snack if needed, though most events have refreshments available.
- Download the American Cancer Society’s FUNdraising app to track your donations and share your fundraising page with friends and family before the event.
- If you are a survivor, ask about the Survivor Parade or Hope Village areas at your walk. These spaces are created specifically to honor your journey.
- Consider forming a corporate, school, or neighborhood team. Team fundraising is one of the most effective ways to exceed individual donation goals.
Additionally, all Making Strides events proceed rain or shine. Check the weather in advance and come prepared.
How Your Money Helps
Every dollar raised at these walks contributes directly to the American Cancer Society’s mission. Specific amounts make specific differences:
| Donation Amount | What It Provides |
| Small donation | Free 24-hour support via phone, email, or online chat for one person |
| Mid-range donation | Eight rides to and from treatment through the Road to Recovery program |
| Larger donation | One night of free lodging at a Hope Lodge location for a patient and caregiver |
For Susan G. Komen events, funds support the organization’s research grants, its Patient Care Center, and its Center for Public Policy, which advocates for equitable access to breast cancer screening and treatment at the state and federal level.
Conclusion
NYC breast cancer awareness walks in 2026 span all five boroughs, giving every New Yorker a way to participate, honor loved ones, and raise money for a cause that touches millions of lives. The Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure takes place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Foley Square, with participants walking the Brooklyn Bridge. The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events return to Central Park in Manhattan, the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn, Queens, Bay Plaza in the Bronx, and Staten Island throughout October. All walks are free to join with fundraising strongly encouraged. Registration for all events is available at MakingStridesWalk.org and komen.org. Whether you walk one mile or five, every step and every dollar contributes to a future where breast cancer no longer takes lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the breast cancer walks in NYC free to attend?
Yes. All Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks organized by the American Cancer Society are free to join. Participants are encouraged but not required to fundraise. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure charges a registration fee of $40 for adults and $30 for youth under 18, with virtual options available at the same price.
Where can I register for the 2026 NYC breast cancer walks?
For Making Strides events in all five boroughs, register at MakingStridesWalk.org. For the Susan G. Komen Greater NYC Race for the Cure on October 24, 2026, register at komen.org/community/new-york. Online registration is strongly recommended for all events to avoid lines on the day.
Can I walk if I have not raised any money?
Yes. You do not need to raise a minimum amount to participate in any of these walks. However, every dollar raised makes a direct difference to research, patient services, and awareness programs. You can start a personal fundraising page when you register and share it with friends and family via social media or email.
Can I bring my children or dog to the walks?
Children of all ages are welcome at breast cancer walks in NYC, and many families attend together. Some events allow leashed, friendly dogs, but policies vary by venue and organizer. Check the event details page at MakingStridesWalk.org or komen.org for the specific rules at the walk you plan to attend.
How do I start a team for a company, school, or community group?
You can create a team during the registration process at MakingStridesWalk.org or komen.org. Once your team is set up, you receive a shared fundraising page that team members can join and share. Corporate teams often benefit from employer matching gift programs, which can double or triple the impact of every donation made.
