Thousands Gather at Palisades Park for Wonder Woman Walk for Breast Cancer

On Sept. 18 at Palisades Park in LA, more than a thousand walkers will join the 2nd Annual Jessica M. Berman Wonder Woman Walk for Breast Cancer, celebrating survivors and honoring those who have lost their battle with the disease. Many of the walkers will be dressed in their favorite superhero costume, to participate in this non-competitive family-friendly event benefiting the Tower Cancer Research Foundation.

Jessica M. Berman, a loving Los Angeles wife, mother and friend, was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer while five months pregnant with her son Leo.� At the tender age of 34, she became a tireless fighter for her life, an inspiring advocate for others afflicted by this disease, and a prolific fundraiser for breast cancer research.�Since childhood, Jessica had an affinity for Wonder Woman, the warrior princess fighting for justice and peace. She came to embody this heroine in her personal battle against breast cancer.�Though Jessica passed away on August 24, 2014, at age 38, her legacy lives on through the Wonder Woman Walk.

The proceeds from the Walk will benefit the Jessica M. Berman Fund at Tower Cancer Research Foundation, which provides funding for important and innovative breast cancer research and patient support services.

In partnership with Tower, the Jessica Berman Foundation has established two $500,000 five-year Senior Investigator Grants focused on innovative breast cancer research. In April 2015, the first $500,000 Jessica M. Berman Senior Investigator Grant was awarded to Dr. Richard Pietras of UCLA, Division of Hematology/Oncology for his work on next generation estrogen receptor downregulators for breast cancer therapy.

The second $500,000 Grant was awarded in May 2016 to Dr. Michael Press of USC's Norris Cancer Center for his work to develop a biomarker needed to establish cancer susceptibility to a new agent that directly targets cancer cell division in breast cancer patients.

More than $100,000 has also been committed to breast cancer patient support services, which includes a $50,000 grant to Camp Kesem, a year-round volunteer organization that creates, manages and runs life changing camp programs to support children through and beyond their parent's cancer.�

The 2nd Annual Jessica M. Berman Wonder Woman Walk for Breast Cancer will begin check-in at 8"30 a.m., with a 9 a.m. step-off on Sunday, September 18, at Palisades Park, 851 Alma Real, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.�

To register for the walk, call 310-299-8470 or visit www.wonderwomanwalk.org.