There's still work to do But all this progress doesn't mean the work of Rays of Hope is nearing its completion. "Early detection has really [created] a phenomenal change in survival rates," Baribeau said "But that is not to say that there aren't still people being diagnosed with later stage cancers and more aggressive cancers." And she said there is still segments of the population that need to be reminded of the importance of paying attention to breast health. "I'm reaching out to local colleges and asking them to form a team, and to have someone come in and speak to them about breast cancer and breast health," Baribeau said. "I know [these women] are young, but it's never too early . you can be diagnosed at any age. It's not too early to be aware of breast health and the potential for breast cancer, especially if there's a history in your family." In her role as walk ambassador, Baribeau said she is also reaching out to local businesses both to encourage companies to support Rays of Hope and to speak to employees about preventative health care. She said she and Sandy Hubbard from the Comprehensive Breast Health Center usually bring along information about mammograms and the warning signs of breast cancer. "In these days of health care costs, an early diagnosis will save businesses in health care costs and insurance premiums," she said. And she's reaching out to local mayors, asking them to partner with Rays of Hope to raise awareness by declaring a "Go Pink" day in their city during October. "We raise a flag, read a proclamation and ask employees to do a denim and pink day," she said. "We also encourage them to have mammograms, and to get their family members to get mammograms." As for her impact on the 2008 walk, Baribeau said her efforts have brought some new corporate teams on board. Among these additions are "the YWCA of Western Mass and Verizon . they never had teams before," she said. Her goal for this October's walk is to "bring in more money than 2007 we raised over $850,000." she said. "The economy is tough . people are thinking about heat and the cost of groceries going up, but I was encouraged by the amount of funds raised by the [recent] Stand Up to Cancer telethon." she said. "People are still giving to worthwhile causes." Last year, over 13,000 women, men, teenagers and children took part in the walk and Baribeau said these participants raised their walk pledges in all sorts of creative ways. "People hold wine and cheese parties and ask guests to donate $5 to Rays of Hope to attend, they cook a meal and raffle it off to friends and family . Rays of Hope was and is a grassroots organization and some of the fundraising ideas are so Lucy," Baribeau said. When Baribeau says grassroots, she means all the way from the organization that plans the walk to the 300-plus volunteers who see to it that everything from shuttling walkers from remote parking lots to making signs for the teams to taking the pledges that are turned in that morning goes smoothly on walk day. "Many of them have been there since day one, they are friends of Lucy and people from the medical community," Baribeau said. "They are a wonderful group of people . so committed and so dedicated. The know what they have to do and they do it." "The whole walk started with no one with fundraising experience," Giuggio Carvalho said. "We 've just kept growing."