FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Folks strutted their stuff in fashionable attire on the streets of Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Saturday morning, and it was all to raise money for local breast cancer patients.
Glitz, pride and the color pink dominated the day on the 10th anniversary of The Strut, South Florida’s sassiest charity fundraiser. “If you look at some of our things, it’s pink leopard — the bag has pink leopard [print] on it,” said Judith Rudin, a board member of Glam-A-THON, the group behind the annual event. “Everything we do is glitz and pink.”
City streets were packed with people who got up early on a weekend morning. Some of their four-legged friends even got into the act, like Gianna.
“Ten years she’s walked this, and she’s going to retire this year,” said Gianna’s owner.
In the midst of all the pink — and fabulous pumps — 7News ran into Joe Feinberg, who is also fighting for breast cancer awareness in a pink suit. His business raised $19,000 for the cause this week.
“I’m rocking the suit. I’m rocking breast cancer awareness for October,” said Feinberg.
The Strut Walk was hosted by none other than 7’s own diva Lynn Martinez.
When asked what it means for her to take part in the fundraiser, Glam-A-THON President Tammy Gail replied, “In many levels, it’s pretty monumental. It’s my anniversary celebrating my life [free] from breast cancer … 12 years. After two years of being OK, I started Glam-A-THON.”
Helping judge the teams participating in the event were more members of the WSVN family: sports director Steve Shapiro, sports reporter Donovan Campbell and meteorologist Vivian Gonzalez.
They were tasked with choosing the most glamorous of the bunch. Of course, the event is not just about looking good but raising money for the Broward Health Foundation, which helps under-insured women undergoing breast cancer treatment and therapy get what they need.
Team 7 judges at @Glam_A_THON @donovancampbell @sshapiro7 @VivianGonzalez7 @wsvn pic.twitter.com/vYm5EXQ71G
— Vivian Gonzalez (@VivianGonzalez7) October 15, 2016
Best of all, participants have their friends and colleagues along for the fight, backing up their strut with money and support.
“I’m here to support Broward County women lawyers and all of my friends who are survivors,” said a supporter. “This judge, Stacy Ross, she’s a survivor of breast cancer.”
“Having been a victim of breast cancer, to me, the walk is about making lemonade out of lemons, basically,” said Ross. “Having fun, embracing how strong I am now because of the experience I’ve had in the past.”
Before Saturday’s event, the teams registered raised more than $57,000. As of Saturday night, the final total had not yet been announced.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.