Thousands in pink head to Henry Maier Festival Park for Susan. G Komen's MORE THAN PINK Walk
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Susan G. Komen Southeast Wisconsin More Than Pink Walk was back in person this year at Henry Maier Festival Park. Thousands were decked out in their best pink attire Sunday morning, Sept. 26, to fundraise in the fight against breast cancer.
CBS 58 and Telemundo Wisconsin were proud partners of the event. CBS 58'S Natalie Shepherd emcee'd the event.
It was a beautiful, sunny morning for the walk. A sea of pink participants walked along Milwaukee's lakefront to support the cause that has a special and personal meaning to them.
"My connection to Komen is really dear to my heart. My mom passed away last year of metastatic breast cancer after a 20 year battle. I want to do whatever I can to help raise funds to find cures for breast cancer," said Julie Gerber, who is a volunteer of the walk and is also a Hope Village chair.
Breast cancer survivors, families who have lost loved ones from breast cancer, and those who are currently battling breast cancer said they are part of this cause because they don't want to see others go through what they have gone through.
"One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer so if you just name eight women in your life and know how that can affect one of them, it makes you think twice and hopefully you look at getting involved. Whether it's through volunteering, fundraising, donating," said Nikki Panico, executive director of Wisconsin's Susan G. Komen.
The opening ceremony is underway for the @KomenWisconsin#morethanpink walk! @CBS58#komenwalkmilwaukeepic.twitter.com/FnXnBSRcRV
— Natalie Shepherd (@NewsNatalie) September 26, 2021
The money raised over the years has provided financial support to people fighting breast cancer and also helps pay for research, mammograms and more, so that people can get detected and treated as early as possible. For survivors like Tiffany Johnson, the support has been life changing.
"I am a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 2009 at 29 and during that time I was unable to work and during that time Susan G. Komen stepped in and supplemented my income. They covered copays and electric bills. Being down here and involved in this walk today, it is very important to me because I know the importance of this walk and the fundraising dollars I know where they go. They go back into the community to help members and women like me," said Johnson. She spoke at the event about her journey with breast cancer.
"This is where you get your support from. You join a club that you never wanted to belong to but you have so much support and you are not alone," said Susan Gilbert, a survivor.
Gilbert and her sister Julie Hahn personally know the challenges that come with breast cancer. Both are survivors and say it means the world to be part of the walk and help.
"That's why I got involved, to raise money and be here for the walk and support all the other women that are going through this terrible, terrible disease. This is my eighth year participating and I've now raised over $75,000," said Hahn.
Participants were excited to have the walk in-person again to bond, share stories, and empower each other.
"It's very reassuring to know you're not alone and that other people are willing to fight this battle with you," said Johnson.
Fundraising is going on through October so there is still time to support the cause. You can donate on the website.