Yesterday's Walk for Today

as reported by Nick Stavrides:

On Saturday, September 13th at 5:30 AM, volunteers arrived along the East River of Manhattan. They came to prepare for Tamika and Friends’ inaugural New York event: “WALK TO BEAT THE CLOCK! HELP TO END CERVICAL CANCER” Not only did they set up shop, but their warm smiles set the tone for the day.

Walkers gathered at 8:00. “THE LADIES POWER JAM” band performed, and Tamika Felder, cervical cancer survivor and women’s health advocate, took the stage. She spoke of her personal journey with the disease and how friends, who are basically like family, helped her reach her seventh year of health post-diagnosis. She dedicated the event to every woman who has been touched by cervical cancer, with special mention to Heather L. Martin and Phyllis Leopold, two women who lost their fight.

An outpouring of love, support, and understanding was evident. It filled the air, and energized participants as they walked the route along the water on a beautiful morning. Some walked in quiet reflection. Others shared plans and stories of their own struggles and triumphs with cervical cancer.

Ceremony continued at the finish line. Tamika presented the crowd with a proclamation from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg declaring it “Beat the Clock Day.” Cervical Cancer “sheroes” shared their stories. Michelle Whitlock spoke about her experience with the disease – how she made multiple attempts at alternative treatments before finally opting for a hysterectomy, and how she harvested her eggs, fertilized and froze them before the surgery. The crowd burst with joy when she told us that those embryos were being implanted into a surrogate as she spoke!

Tamika acknowledged all the people who made the day possible, and with that she announced, “We believe in giving people their flowers while they’re still here!” The event raised approximately $10,000 for the cause! Martha Wash closed out the day with some amazing music, and everyone danced and rejoiced. There was a feeling of empowerment in knowing that the goals that were set forth that day, to prevent more deaths from cervical cancer, are truly obtainable.




Nick Stavrides is a New York artist who works in independent film, TV, oils and acrylics. He found the human rights project, Human Handbook. He jokes that he’s the son of a saint and a social worker ‘cuz his parents taught him to help whenever and whomever he can. He lives in NYC with his love-a-ly wife Steph.