After severe weather canceled the 27th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Las Vegas walk, the Raiders and American Cancer Society held a free event Oct. 13 at West Las Vegas Library.
More than an inch of rain fell on the west side of the valley as gusts reached 40 mph. The Las Vegas Raiders and American Cancer Society still held a free Tackle Cancer gathering at West Las Vegas Library on Tuesday, Oct. 13, keeping attention on cancer prevention and early detection.
The event was part of Crucial Catch, an NFL and American Cancer Society initiative that works to expand screening access, particularly in under-resourced communities.
The 27th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Las Vegas walk had been scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Organizers called it off early that morning as remnants of Tropical Storm Rachel moved through Southern Nevada. A flash-flood warning was in effect, and Las Vegas recorded 1.08 inches of rain over 24 hours, setting a daily rainfall record. Organizers said the cancellation was a safety decision.
The walk was set to mark its 27th year with a move to Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Instead, organizers held a survivor recognition ceremony and a public community event. The free gathering offered a different kind of outing from the pretzel-themed games and giveaways at a recent Town Square event.
Tackle Cancer began with a ceremony recognizing local cancer survivors at 2:30 p.m. The community event followed from 3 to 5 p.m. at the library, 1861 N. Martin Luther King Blvd. It was free and open to the public.
Maura Bivens, the 2026 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Las Vegas honoree, was in the spotlight.
Bivens has lived with triple-negative metastatic breast cancer for 15 years, well beyond the 12- to 18-month prognosis she was initially given. A comedian and advocate, she shares her experience and uses humor to encourage people to care for their health. She also urges them to speak up for themselves.
Crucial Catch is a joint initiative of the American Cancer Society and the NFL. Its work centers on cancer prevention and early detection. The initiative also aims to expand screening access, particularly in under-resourced communities.
Nevada Health Centers brought a mobile mammography unit to the Oct. 13 event. FOX5 reported that the program included breast cancer screenings. Men’s cancer screenings were also available, along with skin checks. The event offered blood-pressure checks and a blood drive.
Mammogram appointments were scheduled from 8:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Walk-ins were accepted from 3 to 5 p.m. The appointment number was 877-581-6266. A survivor circle gave people affected by cancer a chance to share their experiences.
Ebere Arum, senior director of community relations for the Raiders, helped coordinate the event. Sandy Hartman, associate director of community partnerships for the American Cancer Society, participated from Reno.
