Shades of pink flood Philly streets for breast cancer awareness

PHILADELPHIA -- Rain and heavy winds couldn't stop pink warriors and their supporters from putting on their walking shoes for a good cause.

In honor of breast cancer awareness, about 1,000 people participated in the Philadelphia-area, annual Susan G. Komen 3-day walk raising $2.7 million.

It was an emotional cross at the finish for many completing the last leg of the walk.

Supporters lined the way leading up to the finish line at the Navy Yard congratulating finishers.

Arm in arm, wearing their signature pink, exhausted walkers received high fives, some choked back tears and at the end they proudly held up their walking sneakers.

Participants logged 60 miles starting in Willow Grove on Friday and ending at the Navy Yard Sunday afternoon.

Weary walkers on Sunday got a boost of encouragement from cheering stands along the way.

Each participant had their own reasons for joining the event, many of them personal.

"I'm supporting my mom who had breast cancer, and my aunt who passed away," said Rebecca Lippman of Bedminster, Pa.

"I have a personal friend who I lost at the end of February so I did it for her," said Molly Pirollo of Bedminster, Pa.

"I was supporting my husband. He did it because he had a friend that died of breast cancer, but it was a male," said Michelle Capano-Morley of Hillsboro, N.J. "A lot of people aren't aware males can get breast cancer."

Each year the number of participants grows. Joanne Hodgson started walking almost a decade ago - now she volunteers.

Despite raising millions of dollars, Hodgson said, "this event, if nothing else, gets people to get out and get their mammograms because you can't do it too soon."

In total, there are seven, 3-day events across the country beginning in August through Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.