You Belong Here: Stateline Community Unites for the 2026 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
Hope had a message: You belong here!
Long before the first step of the 2026 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on the campus of Rock Valley College in Rockford was taken, you could feel it that unmistakable hum of community, courage, and connection that only happens when people show up for one another.
Pink shirts, pink signs, pink coffee cups from Kelly’s Market — everywhere you looked, the campus was glowing with purpose. Survivors stood shoulder to shoulder with families, coworkers, students, and teams from across our area. Some walked in celebration. Some walked in grief. All walked with hope.
And this year, hope had a message: You belong here.
Harold Bone
A Survivor’s Voice: “Take That Smile and Carry It Through Your Journey.”
Rockford Alderwoman Gina Meeks, speaking on behalf of Rockford Mayor Janessa Neal, stepped to the microphone with the kind of presence that only comes from lived experience.
“I’m here because I’m a breast cancer survivor,” she said, her voice steady but full of emotion. “If you just came here to get a smile, take that smile and carry it as you go through your journey.”
She reminded the crowd that every survivor’s path is different — but none of them walk it alone.
“This walk reminds us of what we’ve been through, what we’ve seen others go through, and what we will get through. Because that’s what we know we’ll get through it.”
Her words drew cheers from the Hononegah Football team forty some deep, applause from the mass of walkers, and a wave of pink flags held high by Scouts, Cheerleaders, Football Players and Survivors. It was a moment that felt both ceremonial and deeply human a reminder that courage comes in many forms.
2026 Makes Strides Walk at Rock Valley College - Hononegah Community High School Football Team. October 2nd 2026. Photo by Harold Bone
Local Leadership Shows Up — Again
Just as they did on Friday night under the stadium lights, Hononegah Community High School Head Coach Brian Zimmerman and Offensive Line Coach Phil Adams showed up for their community and the Hononegah Indians. This time, they weren’t leading the Hononegah Indians onto Kelsey Field they were leading young men from our community into something bigger than football. Growth at the High School level comes in many shapes and sizes. Some comes in the sweat of everyday practice learning to block, tackle and communicate with your teammates. Other times, it comes from learning to give of yourself by encouraging others and making a moment last forever.
A Walk, A Promise, A Community That Refuses to Quit
As the crowd moved forward toward the opening of the walk survivors, thrivers, families, friends, coworkers, volunteers the message echoed again and again:
You belong here.
For the woman ringing her survivor bell for the first time.
For the family carrying a photo of someone they miss.
For the teenager walking for a mother still fighting.
For the coaches teaching young men what leadership really looks like.
For the businesses who believe in giving back.
For every person who refuses to let breast cancer have the last word.
On this 25th anniversary year.
It showed up.
It stood together.
It made strides — again.
And as Kelly’s Market reminded us, the fight continues. The hope continues. The community continues.
Because here, in Rockford and the surrounding Stateline, we believe in a future where fewer families hear the words “Breast Cancer.”
And until that day comes, we walk Together. Because, You belong here.
The Hononegah Community High School Football team's presence mattered Saturday. Their examples of enthusiasm mattered. The boys who showed up on Saturday October 2nd 2026 at Rock Valley College understood that being part of a team means showing up off the field, too.
I've had the honor and privilege to see many events while covering high school sports. Every year, I attend this event to cover Hononegah Football giving back for no other reason then to give without taking.
Thank you Coach Zimmerman, Coach Adams and all the players for allowing me to follow you on Saturday.
I would like to remind you that these boys played football game on Friday against Rockford East winning 41-0 and on Saturday most were going to attend the Homecoming dance. To get 40 plus young men to show up and give selflessly is a credit to their parents, to the Hononegah Community and to the spirit an maturity of those young men.
I was lucky enough to speak with a few survivors, thrivers while milling around taking pictures. The overwhelming theme in my talks was one of gratitude that these boys would show up to support them.
#HonoProud #GoTribe
