a signature fundraising event for living beyond breast cancer is its outdoor yoga event, held the third sunday in may. yoga was chosen as the focus of the event because of medical research suggesting that yoga has a positive effect on the quality of life of cancer patients. the event involves a one-hour yoga class held at the philadelphia museum of art. this is followed by breakfast and a health and fitness information expo for participants and supporters, featuring a variety of nonprofits and service organizations. it was first organized in 2002 by jean sachs and yoga instructor jennifer schelter. in 2002, 100 attendees met in the rain. in 2015, the program attracted over 2,300 attendees in philadelphia, as well as participants in other cities including washington, d.c., kansas city, denver and fort myers. known variously as "yoga unites for living beyond breast cancer", "yoga 4 living beyond breast cancer;", and "yoga on the steps", the event was renamed "reach & raise" for 2016. in support of the event, the city of philadelphia has declared may 16, 2010, may 15, 2011 and other dates as "living beyond breast cancer day" in philadelphia.