On Saturday October 23, Hilbert College hosted its first annual Breast Cancer Walk in honor of Jennifer Czarnecki. Czarnecki battled breast cancer from October 18, 2020 until December 5, 2020 when she passed at the age of 47.

Czarnecki was a New York State Trooper for 20 years. She retired November 3rd of 2020, due to her worsening illness. According to the New York State Police, her illness resulted from her assignment at the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.

“This walk is a new yearly tradition for breast cancer awareness,” David Roche stated, who was working the event. “We’re walking around Hilbert’s campus four times, which is two miles.”

The event included raffle basket drawings, a presentation about Czarnecki and the walk itself. T-shirts were also available for all participants.

“We are trying to start a foundation in her name,” Justine Chitwood, the organizer of the event explained. “Eventually, Hilbert will have a scholarship in her name for a criminal justice student to receive every year.”