15,000 Walk for Breast Cancer Hope at SDSU Oct. 18

When Janelle Temnick found a lump in March 2022, she insisted on a mammogram that revealed breast cancer. Over the next year, she endured four months of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, and five surgeries while raising her two young children.

Today, Temnick is cancer-free and preparing to walk at Snapdragon Stadium on October 18 alongside 15,000 other San Diegans. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event returns to SDSU Mission Valley for its third year, now featuring both a walk and a new 5K run option.

As director of contracts and risk management at SDSU's Aztec Shops, Temnick knows the campus well. But she'll be walking for a different reason: to thank the support system that carried her through treatment and to help others facing the same battle.

"I couldn't have gotten through cancer without my support system," Temnick said. "Walking is my way of saying thank you to the people who stood by my side."

She created a team called "Nobody Fights Alone" to honor those who supported her journey. Through the American Cancer Society, she found educational resources and programs that guided her recovery, and she's been walking in Making Strides ever since her diagnosis.

The Ripple Effect

Last year's event drew more than 15,000 participants, making it one of the largest Making Strides walks in the region. This year, organizers hope to raise $1 million to fund breakthrough research, patient support programs, and a 24/7 helpline for anyone touched by breast cancer.

The money will support services like Road to Recovery, which helps patients get to treatment appointments. It also funds research currently underway at SDSU, bringing the fight against breast cancer directly to San Diego's doorstep.

"Every San Diegan has someone in their lives who has been impacted by breast cancer," said Gina Jacobs, SDSU's associate vice president for Mission Valley development. The river park campus provides the perfect community gathering space to celebrate survivors and honor those still fighting.

Temnick now advocates for early detection and listening to your body. She encourages everyone to accept support when facing hard times and to show up for others, even strangers.

"You don't even have to walk," she said. "Just come out and be part of the cause."

Registration is free, and participants can sign up individually or create teams at the Making Strides website. The event happens Sunday, October 18, 2026, with the 5K run starting at 7 a.m. and the walk beginning at 8 a.m. at SDSU Mission Valley River Park and Snapdragon Stadium.