SAN ANTONIO – Thousands of people affected by breast cancer laced up their tennis shoes for the 19th annual Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.
A sea of pink attire filled the streets near the Alamodome for the 5K event that raises awareness and money in the fight against breast cancer.
Recommended Videos
The event remembers those who have lost their battle against breast cancer and celebrates survivors.
Yolanda Polomo started the race in a wheelchair. But she was determined to finish it on her two feet.
"I just wanted to do (it) because I saw everyone else crossing it," Polomo said. "They run it and I can't run. But I'll walk it. I practiced for six weeks. I said, '150 feet. I can do it.'"
The event raises about $1 million, which provides 16,000 breast cancer services for local patients, like Laurie Valdez, who was diagnosed in October 2015.
"I lost my health insurance and they help me get that so I could have the surgery I needed," she said. "I recently had a double mastectomy. I had surgery on Jan 18, so I'm just now three months cancer-free."
Polomo said she recalls when she got the news about her cancer in 2000.
"You can do one of two things. You can go home and throw yourself a pity party or you can educate yourself," she said.
Polomo decided on the latter and is now cancer free.
"If I can make it, anybody can make it," she said. "You've got to keep the faith and you got to believe."
KSAT 12 News anchor Leslie Mouton, a breast cancer survivor, served as emcee of the event.