Local Cancer Survivor Helps Organize City of Hope Walk

Longtime Highland Park resident Mindy Ugolini is in her 13th year as a breast cancer survivor.

She was diagnosed in 2002 after having her third child. So ever since she has been a strong advocate for the fight against breast cancer, participating in walks and other events designed to raise awareness and funds for research.

One of those events is the City of Hope “Walk For Hope to Cure Breast Cancer,” held yearly on the North Shore. This year’s event will be at Sunset Woods Park in Highland Park from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, October 4. But instead of being just a participant, Ugolini is an organizer.

She will lead the warm-up exercises before the event, which includes a 1K family walk through the woods, an inaugural 5K Fun Run, prizes, goody bags, healthful snacks and kids activities. All funds support Breast Cancer Research and Hereditary Breast Cancer Research at City of Hope, a private, not-for-profit clinical research center.

“It will all be geared toward family fun and raising awareness,” said Ugolini, who has felt “blessed” to have had the care and support from doctors, family and friends.

“It may have been under the most unfortunate of circumstances, but this has allowed me to give back,” she said.

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The City of Hope event does not have a minimum donation requirement, but the suggested amount is $25 for adults and $15 for children.

“It will be fun for a preschooler and someone in their 80s,” Ugolini said. “Anyone can show up and donate whatever they can.”

The lack of a minimum required donation amount makes this event more open to everyone to show their support, according to Ugolini. 

Having resided in the city since she was three months old, Ugolini is a Highland Park lifer. That makes helping out in this event all the more special.

“To be able to participate in a community family fun event to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer is fabulous,” she said.

Photos: Mindy Ugolini participates in events to raise awareness for breast cancer with family.