LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The pandemic caused cancellations on the many activities surrounding Derby week over the past two years. But this year, the Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade returns to in-person honoring the 146 survivors from 2020.

“I am super excited after waiting for two years. I’ve never expected to be able to do this,” said Charisse LeMaster, one survivor who’s walking in the parade.

She is more than ready.

“So I got all new dress, brand new hat. Everything’s brand new. I’m excited,” LeMaster said.

She’s also practiced for two years.

“I’ve been working on my wave for two years. I’ve been practicing my wave for two years to be in the parade,” LeMaster said. “Got my hand to hold my fingers together and then for the people that you know you got to do that. So I’m ready. I’m ready. I’ve been working on my wave for two years.”

LeMaster is a breast cancer survivor.

“It’s still very scary to get the phone call and say, ‘hey, you know, it looks like you do have cancer,’” LeMaster said.

The wedding event organizer said she underwent 16 radiation treatments.

“Mine was so minor, and I was extremely blessed. There’s a lot of women and men that are going through the fight that don’t have the same type of results that I had,” LeMaster said.

After overcoming that hurdle, one of her close friends nominated LeMaster for the Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade. Only the pandemic in 2020 canceled the event.

“I’m grateful to be able to walk with other women and men that have survived and to represent those that didn’t survive. We can all still be in support and in prayer for them too,” LeMaster said.

LeMaster will join 146 other breast and ovarian cancer survivors in the 14th Survivors Parade on Friday to take a lap around the track at Churchill Downs.

She also said the cancer isn’t present in her body right now, but doctors told her there’s a 30% chance it could return.