MURRELLS INLET, SC (WPDE) - About 1,500 people dressed up in pink to celebrate life and give hope Saturday in Murrells Inlet. The Georgetown Hospital System held its annual "In the Pink" walk in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The two mile walk from Waccamaw Medical Park East to the Marsh Walk benefited the hospital's indigent breast cancer fund which helps the uninsured receive treatment.
Many who took part in the event placed the names of people they were walking in memory of on the backs of their shirts.
"It's very overwhelming. I just never realized how many people area aware but we need so much more and my family surprised me from North Carolina so we're all out here together to fight this disease," said Cindy Smith, a breast cancer survivor.
Dr. Craig Brackett, a surgeon, said about 39,000 people are expected to die from breast cancer this year and early diagnosis is the key. "If we can diagnose cancer, identify it with screening and early we can cure these patients with early detection. Which also means they don't need big surgery, chemotherapy, real extensive treatment."
This is the seventh year for the event. Since the walk began, they've raised nearly $500,000.
