Cupcake event honors breast cancer survivors, fighters
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NILES -- Breast cancer survivors, those battling cancer and family and friends supporting their loved ones took to the track at 7 17 Credit Union Field at Eastwood on Sunday for the fourth annual Pink Lights the Way Cupcake Walk.
A sea of bright pink shirts could be seen walking around the field Sunday afternoon as the survivors' lap was followed by those supporters and family members who joined them.
The Pink Lights the Way event was started four years ago by Megan Schellhorn and Shannon Styer, who are both breast cancer survivors.
Schellhorn said they made sure they had 1,200 cupcakes for the more than 1,000 participants.
She said the event raises awareness of breast cancer with Pink Lights the Way providing breast cancer mentorship and support programs.
"All the money goes to women and their families dealing with breast cancer," Schellhorn said.
Schellhorn said the idea for the cupcake walk came from a similar event in Charlotte, North Carolina, which is her hometown.
"I spoke to the organizers of that event who gave us the green light to do a similar event here. We hold the event this first weekend in October," she said.
The survivors and fighters lap kicked off the event with those walking able to get a cupcake with pink icing at one of several tables set up along the track.
"Other people lined the field and cheered the survivors and fighters on as they walked. The others then could join in for four laps around the track,'' Schellhorn said.
She said the event is designed to spread hope in the community.
"We want people to know they are never alone when fighting breast cancer. There is hope on the other side of the diagnosis. You see this when you see all the survivors walking in the survivor's lap," she said.
Schellhorn, who is a five-year breast cancer survivor, said there is so much love and support.
Styer said in 2025, the event had more than 1,000 participants with this year closer to 1,200.
"We hope each year to continue to grow with survivors and those who are here to support them. We want people to know we are here for them. Our biggest goal with this is for anyone going through breast cancer they have a large group of survivors who know what they are going through," Styer said.
She said statistics show that with early diagnosis, 95% of patients survive breast cancer.
"We tell people to talk to their doctors and ask the right questions,'' said Styer, who is a five-year breast cancer survivor.
She said she and Schellhorn went through their breast cancer diagnosis together and went through chemotherapy, surgeries and radiation together. So they decided to form Pink Lights the Way together.
Paulette Love of Warren Township, a 2 ½-year breast cancer survivor, said, "It means the world to me as this organization really helped me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.''
Love had the survivors register their names for a chance to win a variety of raffle items, many of which were pink.
Pam Vines of Warren, a six-year cancer survivor, said, "What takes place today shows how people who are fighting this disease or have fought in the past come together. The community is great and comes out to really support us both those who are survivors and those who are still fighting. I have been part of this ever since they started this. I am here to support others in whatever way possible."
Elizabeth Moran of Cortland, a one-year cancer survivor, said she attended last year's walk and appreciated all the support.
Maggie Gintner of Howland said she is supportive of her daughter, Schellhorn, and all she and others have done to host the event each year.
"I am always in awe of what Megan and the others are able to do," Gintner said.
Gintner said she remembers her daughter was in her late 30s when she got breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. She said Schellhorn had three young children when she went through 13 months of treatment.
"She said 'Mom, something good has to come out of this. I want to start a nonprofit. People have been so good to me. I want to be good to others.' Now she's helping over 200 families and the cupcake walk at 7 17 Credit Union Field is so well attended,'' Gintner said.