Springfield marks Pink and Denim Day ahead of Rays of Hope walk

The Rays of Hope Walk is this coming Sunday in Springfield Forest Park. And 22 News reporter Claire Overton joins us live in studio with how the city is celebrating those who won their fight, supporting those in their battle, or remembering others who are no longer with us. Ciara and Christina, today in the city of Springfield is Pink and Denim Day. City Hall employees and officials showing their support for breast cancer awareness leading up to the Rays of Hope Walk this weekend. Lucy Carvalho is the founder of Rays of Hope. She was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was just 38 years old and she was a nurse at Bay State at the time. Through her own journey, she realized how hard it was to manage all of it and didn't know how to go about the process. I said, we've got to do something. And that's kind of the impetus that started Rays of Hope and me wanting to do something. And I knew the only thing we could do was raise money. At the time, we didn't have a breast center, but we do now because of the overwhelming support of breast cancer from Rays of Hope. So thanks to Colorado and Rays of Hope, since it began in 1994, the participants have raised over $18.2 million. Funds benefiting research at Rays of Hope Center for Breast Cancer Research, Breast Cancer Programs and Services, outreach and education, and award grants for various community support programs and organizations. And there is still time to register for the walk this coming Sunday. There's more information on our website for how you can get involved. Working for you, Claire Overton, 20H News.