Occurring annually in 40 cities across the nation, including our very own capitol, the Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk is making strides in creating community while also walking (or running) towards a cancer cure. “So, the MORE THAN PINK Walk is a local activation to bring together those who are passionate about ending breast cancer,” Lauren Fix, a staff member on the mission operations team, said. “We have survivors, people living with metastatic disease. So, really, if you’ve been affected by breast cancer in any way, you’re really here to support the community.”

As pictured, the start of the route gained a huge crowd, with the large turn-out stemming not only from the passion of its participants, but from the actual nature of the walk. “So, this event has evolved,” Fix said. “We used to have, and there are still some, races around the country that were timed 5Ks and we have evolved now into the MORE THAN PINK Walk, which is really accessible for the community. We have here today, like, a 1 mile walk and a 3 mile walk. So again, kids, families, anyone can get out and participate.”

From left to right: Becky Hershey and Lauren Fix, members of Susan G. Komen’s dedicated staff, take time out of their day to offer their help and service to cancer “thrivers” and survivors around the Colorado area both at the walk and outside. “This was just an opportunity to give back to the community. But I do also have a personal connection, my best friend actually is fighting right now with breast cancer,” Hershey said. “And so I think when you are affected by the disease, you want to do something about it. You want to make your contribution to make a change in the world.”

From left to right: Dione Carter, Dominique Carter, and Valerie Carter are some of the many participants who have been patrons of the walk for many years, dedicated to acknowledging and supporting the personal links which tie them to the disease. “My sister-in-law, [Dominique and Dione’s] aunt, is a survivor and now one of my best friends is going through the fight,” Carter said. “So, it was funny because this morning we were like ‘Let’s not go, it’s gonna be cold’. And then we were like ‘You know what, [survivors and thrivers] have been through heck and back. We’re gonna get up and we’re gonna walk today’. And so that’s why we’re here.”

Smoky Hill Varsity Cheer’s Mariah McNeal and her whole team came to show a sliver of Smoky’s spirit to the entire event. “We’re here to, like, support people on the pink walk, but we’re just here supporting and cheering for them,” McNeal said. “We’re basically just here supporting everyone who’s here and like, supporting breast cancer awareness.”

From left to right: Nelly Handy and Rosie Leyba show up to advertise their life-saving and accessible services to all those undertaking the fight, regardless of economic status. “So, we are a community clinic and we provide services for the uninsured, people with Medicaid, Medicare, and those with private insurances,” Handy said. Like many of the attendees, these women hold deep personal connections which drive them to this admirable work. “So me personally, I had a sister that was struggling [with breast cancer] as well,” Leyba said. “She went to Stride for one of the clinics, and she had the discount as well. So I went with her for one of her appointments and then it’s really the clinic that caught my eye as far as how it helped the community you know, and the people with low income. So that’s one of the main reasons I’m working for Stride.”