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Making Strides Against Breast Cancer celebrates 10-year anniversary

Posted at 4:37 PM, Oct 10, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-10 18:37:48-04

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Breast cancer survivors and their supporters teamed up for a good cause and gathered at Liberty Park in Salt Lake Saturday morning for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

This is the event's 10-year anniversary, and the momentum to raise funds and awareness is growing.

There were between 8,000 and 10,000 people donning pink from head to toe who turned out to show their support. FOX 13’s Hope Woodside hosted the event. Before the walk, participants warmed up with some Zumba.

The American Cancer Society organizes the walk to raise money for breast cancer research and helps bring together those affected by the disease.

“When they get here, they start to learn more about what their friends are going through or they meet someone going through the same experience,” said Jenny Castro-Conde, community manager for Making Stride Against Breast Cancer.

Karma Perschon is a 7-year breast cancer survivor. She invited her friend Elaine Shrewsbury to take part in the walk. Elaine is leaning on friends and family after learning two months ago she has stage 3 breast cancer.

“It gets tiring where you just want to lay down and just be done, but it's not an option,” Shrewsbury said.

Pam Walker got decked out in all pink to show support for her long-time friend, Pat Rains, who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago.

“I thought it was never going to happen to me,” Rains said.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women.

Pat says early detection is the key, and she encourages women to get mammograms.

“I wish I would have did it every year, but I can't go back," Rains said. "I just gotta move forward, and here is my strength and my courage."

Supporters also gathered to remember loved ones who have passed, and vow to fight back against the disease.

“We can do hard things,” Karma tells Elaine.

Elaine: “That's right: We totally can do hard things.”

If you missed out on Saturday’s walk, you can still donate to the cause by clicking here. As of Saturday afternoon, that website stated 276 teams and 1,457 participants had combined to raise $161,439.19.