Thersha Cowley was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. By the following year she had gone through chemotherapy and reconstructive surgery.

“I’m a survivor,” she said.

She had no hair when she attended her first stride against breast cancer. On Sunday, Cowley showed up to SouthWood Town Center with her husband, three children, uncle and aunt and a full head of hair to complete the Sixth Annual American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk.

More than 1,000 people came out to raise money for breast-cancer research, programs and education.

By late Sunday, the Capital Area American Cancer Society estimated it had raised more than $75,000. Theresa Proctor, event chair, said the total amount won’t be known until today.

The event had live music and activities for the kids. And walkers had a workout before making their way around Central Park Lake.

People from all ages were represented at the cancer walk. Members of the “Save the Ta-Tas” club from Chiles High School walked with their sponsor, Spanish teacher Anne Priddy, who is a six-year cancer survivor.

The club’s president, Mikaela Osterbuhr, said she hopes that the walk will raise money to “help families and hopefully prevent the disease.”

Osterbuhr’s mother died of breast cancer. The Chiles club has more than 40 members.

“It is a very emotional event,” Cowley said. “Knowing that people are helping for the future and for people like me.”

A donation can be made throughout the year at www.cancer.org.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, other than skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Walking to fight breast cancer | tallahassee.com | Tallahassee Democrat