LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It was a sea of pink at Louisville Slugger Field for this year’s "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event.

What You Need To Know

  • The annual "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event took place Oct. 20 at Slugger Field

  • Several breast cancer survivors and advocates took part in activities and a walk around the field

  • Rose Phillips and Vanessa McPhail are both breast cancer survivors who attended; they emphasized the importance of getting screened

Before the walk got started, survivors had the opportunity to do a “tata blessing” and sign shoes for this year’s theme.

“Our theme is ‘Walk This Way to a Cure,' so we have tennis shoes that they can sign, they can put up,” said Rose Phillips, who was part of the event's survivor committee. “We have tennis shoes for ‘in memory of’ for those we’ve lost, caregivers, family members that have helped you through your journey, and it’s just a way of making all the survivors feel welcome.”

Phillips is a 21-year breast cancer survivor herself, a number she uses to try to give hope to those in attendance.

“I want them to know that I’ve had 21 beautiful years since my diagnosis and that they will, too,” Phillips said.

Vanessa McPhail is a breast cancer survivor who participated in the walk. She attends every year and said she's grateful to be part of it.

“It’s exciting to be here and know that I’m with a sea of other women ... men who are survivors with their families, they support us,” McPhail said. “We’re giving to a great cause that helps to support breast cancer.”

A recent study found there has been an increase in younger women getting breast cancer, particularly Black women. Both McPhail and Phillips were diagnosed with breast cancer through a mammogram and advocated for people to get screened.

There is a Kentucky Women's Cancer Screening Program through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, where eligible women can get free services.

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