FLINT, Mich. - In a sea of approximately 6,000 walkers, the bright orange Baker College shirts could be "seen for miles" during Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, the American Cancer Society's premier annual event to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer.

One hundred participants from Baker College raised $13,082.25 at the October 11 event, more than doubling last year's number, and garnering top team and top company ranking this year.

Ann Vaughn raised $5,890, the highest individual amount for the Baker College team. Both Ann and Julia Teahen, who raised $2,175, were given pacesetter awards for raising $2,000 or more, individually. In addition, Baker College of Flint nursing students held a fundraiser that brought in $1,501. Maureen Parmann organized the walkers from Baker's Flint campus.

"There have been many women at Baker College diagnosed with breast cancer," said Dr. Julia Teahen, president, Baker College Online, and a breast cancer survivor. "I participate in Making Strides not only because I am a survivor, but to support my family at home and my family at Baker College.

"My oncologist said to me after my diagnosis, 'before I retire, there will be a cure for breast cancer and I will be out of a job.' Because of fundraisers such as Making Strides and advances in medical research, I believe this to be true."

Since 1993, four million walkers throughout the United States have raised more than $280 million through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Participation supports the American Cancer Society's lifesaving research, prevention, early detection and support programs for thousands of patients and their families.

A 2008 flagship sponsor, this is the second year that Baker College has participated in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

The Baker Center for Graduate Studies and Baker Online are part of Baker College, the largest private college in Michigan. Both are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Center for Graduate Studies is also accredited by the International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The Baker Online MBA program is nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report's usnews.com "E-Learning Online Graduate Programs: Business - Regionally Accredited Programs," and has been ranked as one of the first established, largest and best value online MBA programs in the nation. Baker College is a non-profit higher education institution, serving more than 35,000 students on 12 campuses and in four satellite locations. As a career college, the Baker College system is proud to have achieved a graduate employment rate of 99 percent. Baker grants certificates and associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields. For more information, please visit the Baker College Web site at www.baker.edu.