MILWAUKEE, (CBS 58) -- Breast cancer impacts hundreds of thousands of women and thousands of men each year.

Survivors, those still battling cancer, and supporters came together for the annual Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk at Henry Maier Festival Park.

"The energy is here is just so powerful and palpable," said Liz Gabriel, a breast cancer survivor.

From above you could see thousands of people walking together in solidarity Sunday.

"These people are my sisters," said Gabriel. "I’ve never met them before, but they’re like my sisters. These are the people that know. You don’t have to explain anything to them, they get it immediately, there’s an immediate bond."

As you come closer to the event, you can hear stories of empowerment and resilience.

"They found a 2-inch tumor in my breast, and it turned my world upside down, but I’m on the other side of it now and obviously these people have changed my life," said Gabriel.

Gabriel is one of the hundreds of breast cancer survivors who participated in the annual walk.

"It’s so powerful," said Gabriel. "The type of cancer I had, I had HER2 positive breast cancer and 20 years ago that would have been a death sentence. The fact that we can raise money for research and improve the lives of women is unbelievable.

Together, the group raised more than half a million dollars towards the fight against breast cancer.

CBS 58 evening anchor Natalie Shepherd emceed the event, as around 5,000 people filled the grounds, spreading a message of hope.

"The walk means so much to so many," said Nikki Panico, the executive director of Susan G. Komen Wisconsin. "We celebrate survivorship, we honor those still in the fight and we take a moment and pause to remember those that should be walking with us today."

Reminding people that they are never alone in the fight.