The 8th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk launched at Campus Pointe on Oct. 9.

At 9 a.m., family, friends and loved ones passed through pink balloons and began their walk in support of breast cancer survivors, those who continue to fight and those who they have lost.

Cheryl Brookhost is a cancer survivor and a Making Strides chairwoman.

“I am so excited. I thank every single one of you for coming out here. It’s really, really important. As a cancer survivor, I cannot tell you how glad my heart is to see all of you,” Brookhost said. “Today is a day for celebration. We’re going to walk together, and we’re going to celebrate together.”

Brookhost highlighted three successes she said are worthy of celebrating.

First: “At the end of June, Vice President Joe Biden organized the National Cancer Moonshot, which brought together scientists, oncologists, donors and patients to focus on strategies to prevent cancer, detect it early, ensure broad access to treatment while encouraging researchers to share data,” said Brookhost.

The American Cancer Society is a part of the program and in collaboration with Making Strides, it announced it is planning to double its annual cancer research funding by 2021.

“This means more money for all types of cancer research, including breast cancer,” said Brookhost. “This is huge, huge!”

Second, “The U.S. breast cancer death rate has decreased again by 36 percent,” said Brookhost.

The last success she shared was referring to decreasing the death rate, Brookhost said, “We have contributed to more than 249,000 lives saved from breast cancer.”

Tina Hefler, a breast cancer survivor, was accompanied by her daughter and two friends to walk and support her milestone.

“I just had breast cancer this year. So in January, I went for my yearly mammogram, and they called me back for more tests ­and then after another mammogram and a sonogram. They did a needle biopsy, and that’s when I found out it was cancer,” said Hefler.

Hefler said the cancer was caught early and it was Stage 1.

“I had a lumpectomy in May and then radiation.” said Hefler, is now cancer free.

Hefler said her mom has had breast cancer. Therefore, she encourages her friends and family to get regular mammograms.

“I just never knew I had that many loving and family friends,” said Hefler of the support she received throughout the process of her becoming cancer free.

KSEE24 anchor and reporter Stefani Booroojian encouraged the crowd to “Buddy Check” on the 24th of every month.

Making Strides is a program initiated by the American Cancer Association in an effort to raise donations and awareness of breast cancer, according to its website.

According to Making Strides Central Valley’s website, there were approximately 81 teams and 537 participants.

The organization and its participants raised approximately $19,203 for the Oct. 9 walk.