8,600 breast cancer survivors and supporters were in Moline today for this year's Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure. Some walked the one mile, others ran 3.1 miles to support breast cancer research.
Our KWQC TV6 team also ran and walked in support of those battling breast cancer and for a hopeful future.
Women wearing dark pink shirts represent all of the breast cancer survivors from less than a year to 30 years cancer free.
"I'm a 5 year survivor, yay! 5 is a big marker for us, those of us who have had breast cancer, so I'm very excited," said Vicki Walker, a five year breast cancer survivor.
Vicki Walker and her "sisters," which are dozens of other breast cancer survivors walked the one mile in their dark pink shirts and feather boa's.
Vicki says while this race is a celebration, it's also a tribute.
"Well sometimes it's hard, when you see the ones that are battling breast cancer, the ones who are bald and are struggling and in wheelchairs, it's difficult, but it's also something to celebrate and to see all the dark pink shirts that the survivors have on is a tribute that it can be beat," said Walker.
Like many of the women at the race, they never thought they'd be wearing the dark pink shirts.
"Oh no I walked before I had breast cancer, never thinking I would be wearing a dark pink shirt, but no I've walked in it for about 8 years now," said Walker.
"I never thought I'd be wearing the dark pink but people support you and it's great. It's really great," said Theresa Carber, a 10 year Breast Cancer Survivor.
Women weren't the only ones racing for the cure. Thousands of men showed they were tough enough to wear pink..
"They look good in pink," said Carber.
"The men of these survivors, they have also gone through a journey on their own it's neat to see them out there, it's really great. It's been tough for them, not only the women, the men in the families it's a struggle too," said Walker.
Along with racing for a cure this race also means there is hope.
"There is always hope, don't give up hope if you have it you can walk around here and see all the dark pink shirts, and be hopeful that you will survive and you will," said Walker.
Up to 75% of the funds raised at the quad cities race for the cure will go towards local programs, 25% be used to fund breast cancer research.
