Friends and family, people of all ages, celebrated the 5th annual Paint El Paseo Pink breast cancer walk Saturday morning on El Paseo in Palm Desert.
Paint El Paseo Pink is the Desert Cancer Foundation’s largest fundraiser, benefiting the Suzanne Jackson Breast Cancer Fund. The Fund, administered by the Desert Cancer Foundation, is named for the late LPGA tournament director, Suzanne Jackson, a part-time desert resident who was a victim of breast cancer.
This year alone, nearly 40 thousand women will die from breast cancer in the United States. One in eight women will be diagnosed with the disease.
Nearly 1,000 thousand people showed up on El Paseo Saturday, in an effort to fight breast cancer.
Wearing all pink and 11 beaded necklaces, Becky Grossi, celebrated 11 years as a breast cancer survivor.
“It’s an opportunity for me to stop and be so thankful,” said Grossi.
Grossi wasn’t alone, as many women shared stories of their battle against the disease.
“Four years ago I went through cancer, and I’m a survivor and I do this every year with my family,” said Della Obril.
The Desert Cancer Foundation hopes the event will motivate women to get screened and that it will help fund more breast cancer detection services here in the valley, and Grossi agrees.
“It’s an awareness, what people need to do to examine themselves and to prevent this, and also join together to fight it,” said Grossi.
When caught early, before it spreads beyond the breast, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. Right now, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S.
“It feels awesome, it’s like getting a second chance at life,” said Obril.
A chance to be involved in the effort to find a cure.
Peggy Bilous, the executive director of the Desert Cancer Foundation, says more than 100,000 dollars were raised from Saturday’s breast cancer walk and the Desert Healthcare District promises to match every one of those dollars raised.
If you went out to support this great cause Saturday, send us your pictures! You can share them on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/kpsplocal2
