Date and Time
Sunday Aug 9, 2026
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM CDT
Date: Sunday, August 9
Time: 12 PM – 4 PM
Location
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton – Mundelein, IL
510 IL-83, Mundelein, IL 60060
Fees/Admission
FREE
Description
We are incredibly honored to be producing this year’s Lake County Kickoff Celebration in partnership with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative. This event means so much to us—not only as event producers, but as members of a community coming together for a powerful cause.
Join us for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to awareness, support, and connection as we kick off the 2026 Making Strides season here in Lake County.
What to Expect:• Shop 100 amazing local vendors
• Capture special moments at the Big Pink Chair photo op
• Learn more & sign up for the Lake County Making Strides Walk (October 11th)
• Connect with your community in a meaningful, uplifting space
• FREE entry for all attendees
Vendor Applications Are Now Open!We are currently accepting vendors for this incredible event—don’t miss the opportunity to be part of something truly meaningful while showcasing your business to a large, engaged community. A portion of all vendor fees will be donated directly to the American Cancer Society.
Apply here: https://www.thesocialmarketco.com/vendor-signup.html
This event is about more than shopping—it’s about standing together, honoring those affected by breast cancer, and supporting a mission that impacts so many lives.
We are truly grateful to play a role in bringing this event to life and cannot wait to share this special day with all of you 
PRESS RELEASE
Lake County is Making Strides against Breast Cancer Affecting 1 in 8 Women
MSABC of Lake County Kick-Off at DoubleTree by Hilton, Mundelein, IL on Sunday, August 9th, from 12-4 p.m.
CONTACT: Maura Feind, Senior Manager, Events,Maura.feind@cancer.org, 312-480-0551 | MEDIA KIT
Lake County, IL – August 4, 2026 -- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, and 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. There are over 325,500 new cases estimated in 2026 and 42,600 estimated deaths in Illinois alone. The American Cancer Society is leading the charge to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone, and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer® movement fuels that work.
This year, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Lake County Kick-Off will take place on Sunday, August 9th at DoubleTree by Hilton – Mundelein, IL, bringing together breast cancer survivors, people living with metastatic breast cancer, caregivers, families and local vendors to show that every step counts.
"At Making Strides walks, every step counts,” said Maura Feind. “Through Making Strides, we are funding critical research and life-saving programs that will ensure a brighter future for everyone who is impacted by breast cancer."
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Lake County Kick-Off – Sunday, August 9
- Local vendors and shopping opportunities
- Photos in the iconic Pink Chair
- Information and registration for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Lake County
- Special gifts for teams that register before or during the event
- FREE admission and family-friendly atmosphere
- Open to all community members
- Our NEW 2026 Portraits of Hope Ambassadors will be available for photos and interviews.
Making Strides of Lake County hopes to raise $245,000 this year. The money raised will help provide free nights of lodging at our Hope Lodges, transportation to patients through our Road to Recovery program, grants focused on health equity for all, and so much more to fight against Breast Cancer.
At Making Strides walks, every step counts, and every dollar raised makes an impact by directly supporting ACS' lifesaving work, including:
- Helping contribute to a 44% decline in the death rate from breast cancer from 1989 through 2022.
- Investing more than $600 million in breast cancer research over the past 30 years.
- Funding research that has contributed to the development of potentially lifesaving breast cancer drugs, such as tamoxifen and Herceptin.
Funds raised through Making Strides also support critical ACS programs and services, including 24/7 information and support, free rides to treatment, and free lodging when treatment is far from home.
Registration for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Lake County Kick-Off is open, and the event kicks off at 12 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton – Mundelein, IL. For more information or to register your team, visit: (20+) 2nd Annual MSABC Lake County Kickoff Celebration | Facebook
CONTACT: Maura Feind, Senior Manager, Events,Maura.feind@cancer.org, 312-480-0551 | MEDIA KIT
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. For more than 110 years, we have been improving the lives of people with cancer and their families as the only organization combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support. We are committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. To learn more, visit cancer.org or call our 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345.
