Thousands Step Up to Fight Breast Cancer

Nation's largest breast cancer walk brings Chicagoans to their feet

Thousands of Chicago-area residents spent the day taking steps to fight cancer on Sunday.

The American Cancer Society held its ninth annual "Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk.  Participants and cancer survivors walked five miles to raise awareness for the disease and to honor those affected by it.

There was a huge crowd, both of walkers and supporters.

An estimated 10,000 people walked at a few different locations including Chicago, Aurora, Orland Park and Schaumburg.   As part of a national effort, which last year raised more than $50 million, eight Illinois "Strides" events were expected to raise $2.1 million. 

Since 1993, 4 million walkers across the United States have raised more than $280 million to help fight breast cancer through "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer," making it the nation's largest breast cancer event.

An estimated 8,800 Illinois women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and nearly 2,000 will die from the disease, which is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for Illinois women.

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