2nd Annual Y-Me Walk to Empower

Sunday, May 13th 2007, 4:12 pm

By: News On 6

Hundreds of people began their Mother's Day with a walk on the river. The Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization held its second annual Walk to Empower Sunday morning. The News On 6â€™s Chris Wright reports Y-Me hoped to raise more than $170,000, as well as raise awareness about breast cancer.

"I have no family history of breast cancer in my family, it wasn't really even in my radar, it was definitely shocking," breast cancer survivor Milly Daniels said.

Only 24 when she was diagnosed, breast cancer survivor Milly Daniels says her case is proof that everyone should be vigilant about breast cancer.

Milly, along with fellow survivor, The News On 6â€™s own LeAnne Taylor, warmed up the crowd before Sunday's walk.

"The walk today is going on in Seattle and Dallas and New York, big, big cities. Tulsa's in the middle of that, raising money for the fight for breast cancer," said breast cancer survivor and News On 6 anchor LeAnne Taylor.

Following a ribbon cutting ceremony the nearly 1,000 walkers began the three mile trek around River West Festival Park. Sundayâ€™s walk in Tulsa was part of a national effort; about 40,000 people are expected to spend their Mother's Day walking across the country, hoping to raise about $7 million for Y-Me. That money will not go towards breast cancer research, but instead will provide support for those suffering from it. The millions will be used to expand Y-Me's programs, including its 24 hour support hotline. The organization says it wants to make sure that no one diagnosed with breast cancer faces it alone.

"Everybody coming together, people are walking, there's families together here that are walking because they've lost a loved one to breast cancer," said Lisa Sutliff with Y-Me.

A number of News On 6 anchors, as well as their mother's, also walked. They say the stroll by the river was the perfect way to spend the holiday.

"It not only helps people like me, breast cancer survivors, but our children, our daughters and our grandchildren, to come, and the future really is in fund raising and finding a cure," Taylor said.

Tulsa was the smallest city to host a Y-Me walk Sunday. Others were held in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver and Miami, among other cities.

For more information on Y-Me, click here.

Watch the video: Y-Me Breast Cancer Walk