GUYANESE pride, compassion, and community spirit were on full display in Queens, New York, on Sunday evening, as thousands gathered for a breast cancer awareness walk spearheaded by Guyanese women determined to make a difference in the fight against the dreaded disease.
The event dubbed, “Step of Hope – Let’s Walk Together for Hope,” was organised by Rhonda Bobb and Andrea Narine, owner of You and Eye Vision, who took up the mantle of raising awareness, educating communities and encouraging support for individuals and families affected by breast cancer.
The gathering at Flushing Meadows Corona Park brought together survivors, families, friends, healthcare representatives, and members of various communities, including Caribbean nationals, in a collective demonstration of solidarity and hope.
For the Guyanese organisers, the initiative went beyond a walk. It represented a commitment to ensuring that cancer awareness reaches more people, particularly within immigrant and Caribbean communities where access to reliable health information and screening resources can make a significant difference.
Thousands of participants turned out to honour those who have survived breast cancer, encourage people currently facing the disease and remember loved ones who have lost their lives to cancer.
The event also created an important opportunity for participants to access health-related information and learn more about available support services. Representatives shared information on health insurance, cancer prevention, and screening opportunities, including free cancer screening services. Educational materials and cancer-awareness gift bags were also distributed.
Narine, who was born in Guyana, was among those helping to bring the message of awareness and education to the forefront, encouraging Caribbean people to become more involved in conversations about cancer and the importance of early detection.
The initiative highlighted the significant role members of the Guyanese diaspora continue to play in community development, using their influence, networks, and resources to bring people together around causes that affect families across national and cultural boundaries.
By taking the lead in organising the walk, Bobb and Narine helped create a platform where survivors could be recognised, families could find encouragement and community members could become better informed about cancer-related risks and available resources.
The strong turnout demonstrated the willingness of people to rally behind a cause that touches countless lives, while reinforcing the importance of compassion, education, and collective responsibility.
The Step of Hope walk also encouraged support for the American Cancer Society and families affected by the disease, reminding participants that the fight against cancer requires continued public awareness, access to screening and support for those navigating the challenges of diagnosis and treatment.
For the Guyanese women who helped drive the initiative, the message was clear: making a difference begins when someone is willing to take up the mantle, mobilise a community and turn concern into action.
In Queens, that commitment was reflected in every step taken for hope, every conversation about early detection and every show of support for those affected by breast cancer.
