COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Thousands of people came out for the 33rd annual Susan G. Komen Columbus Race for the Cure on Saturday morning at North Bank Park, dedicated to the mission to put an end to breast cancer, but along the way, also celebrate all the strength patients and survivors display.

“Now I’m out here with all my sisters sharing in our journey,” breast cancer survivor Kyra Pruitt White said.

She is 15 years cancer-free and now wants to raise awareness for the need of early detection. Survival rates are higher the earlier the disease is diagnosed.

“I was so busy taking care of my kids, working, that I allowed my lump to go on, to progress, to stage 3C,” White said.

Some attended the event just to show support. That’s what Carole Morbitzer has done since 1999. As the head volleyball coach at Reynoldsburg High School, she found out there were more people in her life affected by breast cancer than she realized.

“It was then that I realized that I had five of 28 players whose moms are at different stages and I need to get involved,” Morbitzer said.

Since then, she has been gathering players and students each year to volunteer at Komen. The cause became even more personal to her when she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in August 2023.

“Every single year, I cry at the race,” Morbitzer said. “It was different. There were different tears because these tears were about me.”

Through the race, millions of dollars has been raised in Columbus to go toward care and research.

“My doctor told me that my treatment down the road may not be something that’s even being used right now, it’s still in the research stages,” Morbitzer said.

There were around 800 breast cancer survivors and patients who crossed the finish line; in total, there were approximately 8,000 participants. NBC4 is a proud sponsor and our Matt Barnes and Monica Day were there to cheer each one of them on, including Daytime Columbus host Robyn Haines, who is celebrating 15 years cancer-free.

In total, the organization reports raising more than $803,000 so far, with the effort ongoing. If you didn’t make it out this year, it’s not too late to make a difference. The Columbus Race for the Cure is fundraising through June 16. You can learn more here.