At the second annual breast cancer awareness walk on Oct. 4, 2025, some Brooklyn residents and others gathered at SUNY Downstate Medical Hospital to address the issue of breast cancer as it affects the community. The growing concern also comes from local Brooklyn organizations, the GodSquad and its umbrella organization ECHO (Empowering Communities through Healing Opportunities).

The crowd of activists, which includes breast cancer survivors, supporters of the survivors, those who have lost family members and friends to breast cancer, the SUNY Downstate medical staff, and some local Brooklyn politicians, all hammered on the message to bring more awareness to the community through collaboration, resources, and work efforts to help determine early prevention and early detection.

SUNY Downstate Medical OBGYN resident, Dr. Madeline Breda, said SUNY Downstate Hospital provides screening services and an annual mammogram for anyone wanting to take it. Dr. Breda noted that starting your screening at age forty is the best step and following up every two years, “…and if you are an at-risk individual, you should start from as early as age thirty,” Dr. Breda added. She further noted that SUNY Downstate provides referrals when the patients need extended medical care.

State Assembly Member Monique Chandler-Waterman, representing the 58th Assembly District in Brooklyn, and one of the speakers during the walk, stressed the importance of early detection, noting that SUNY Downstate and the community are working together to raise awareness and to promote ways for prevention and early detection. The Assembly Member called for more information to be disseminated to help bring this awareness. She echoed the call for residents to learn how to care for their health. “Know who has breast cancer in your family, allowing you to know the possibilities and condition of your at-risk stage, and that you do not get affected.”  

Ms. Chandler-Waterman continued, “…Bring the awareness of recognizing the issue early…for early detection and early prevention. I will help fight to get the money to Downstate for early detection. ” She emphasized that she would continue to work to support SUNY Downstate in providing the health care that the community needs.

Other speakers were Pastor Louis Starker, Jr., chairman of the GODSquad Board; Cheikh Gueye, Director of Operations for Project ECHO (Empowering Communities through Healing Opportunities); and Alishia Goodridge, Assistant vice president of Government and Community Relations at SUNY Downstate Medical University.

They each voiced the need to conjoin and combat the disease. “Attack and fight the early detection and help solve the problem,” Mr. Cheikh Gueye suggested.

“Discussed the importance of knowing one’s family medical history and begin screening promptly if there is a family history of the disease,” he stressed.

During the walk, Caribbean Life spoke to one participant, fifteen-year-old Xyaira Prince, who explained that he became a breast cancer activist in memory of his great aunt, who died from breast cancer. The fifteen-year-old also wore a T-shirt adorned with an image of his late relative.

The crowd marched off at SUNY Downstate Medical Center with the sound of music and speeches throughout the entire walk. Supporters and survivors ended the journey temporarily at Snyder and Utica Avenues in Brooklyn, with plans afoot for next year’s walk.