SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) – Hundreds of South Floridians woke up early this weekend and took to the sidewalk for a good cause.

7News cameras captured the ribbon cutting moment as the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk kicked off at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise Saturday morning.

This annual event is about courage, hope and community. For people like Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito, the reason he’s participating in the march is personal.

“My family, my mother, my sister, my wife, my mother-in-law, all had cancer at some point,” he said. “My wife is a breast cancer survivor. I have two daughters.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Hotel & Casino donated $100,000 to the cause, alongside other local business leaders who came out to lend their support.

Executives like Andrew Koenig, CEO of City Furniture.

“We’re rallying our troops – our customers, our community – to try to raise money. It’s an incredible event, and I’m happy to be a part of it every year,” he said. “Every dollar we raise or more awareness that we create, we get closer to ending it, so I love it, and I think that’s why it gets bigger and better every year.”

WSVN is a proud supporter of the American Cancer Society, with 7Weather meteorologist Vivian Gonzalez hosting the event.

All in an effort to create more cancer survivors like Ana Salazar.

“It makes me feel really good because there are so many events for a good cause that many people have survived,” Salazar said. “I have successful friends who are alive, thanks to all these events, all the sponsors.”

“There is a cure. There are talented people, ready and willing to work, and we need to fund them, and we need to end this terrible disease,” Zito said.

Saturday’s walk raised more than $850,000 for the American Cancer Society.

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