More Than Pink Walk raises money for breast cancer

HIALEAH – Tracey Tynes-Horlback and her mother had breast cancer.

She is a survivor of 13 years, but her mother died from it three years ago. She was inspired to do something about it.

“I knew that when I was stronger and back on my feet, I would speak up and support other women speaking out about this disease,” Tynes-Horlback said.

She has been a regular at the More Than Pink Walk and helped raise $16,000 this year.

“It means everything to me because as a survivor, I know the challenges that women and even some men face,” she said.

More than 6,000 people took part in the walk at Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah on Saturday. The goal is to raise $700,000. So far they have already raised more than $500,000.

Lynette Hickenbotttom is also a survivor. Her daughter is now suffering from breast cancer for the second time and is undergoing treatment. She said this type of event puts an emphasis on how often you should get checked.

“I’m getting a mammogram now because I’ve had cancer and I’m older,” Hickenbottom said.

Event organizers told CBS News Miami that more than 23,000 women in Florida will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 3,000 will die from the disease.

Surgical oncologist Susan Kesmodel said the condition could run in the family.

“They may inherit a gene mutation from a family member that increases their risk. And women who only have a family history and do not have a gene mutation are also at increased risk,” said Kesmodel.

CBS News Miami is a sponsor of the More Than Pink Walk and Lauren Pastrana of CBS News Miami was the moderator.