Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers took part in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk across all five boroughs Sunday morning. NY1's Lindsay Tuchman caught up with survivors and supporters at the Staten Island walk.

There is no stopping Lea Labrocca, not even breast cancer. 

"Breast cancer diagnosis is a life changing experience, what happens is that we have to have a positive mind, strong attitude, and know that there is life after cancer and that we are here as a community to help each other,” she said.

That's why the 23 year breast cancer survivor volunteers for the American Cancer Society, using her energy and charm to help organize the 24th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Staten Island Sunday morning.

About 252 thousand women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, so this event raises money for research as well as patient services programs.

"It's an opportunity for us to bring together people who have been impacted by breast cancer,” said ACS director Kristina Thomson.  “Celebrate their lives, also remember those who lost the battle."

Survivors, family members, and supporters gathered at Midland Beach in a sea of pink to walk along the boardwalk.

Denise Henick is one of those supporters; she runs the Stop & Stor charitable fund which has been donating to Making Strides for more than 10 years. This year, they brought 60 employees and raised more than $3,000.

"You never know who cancer is going to hit or when it's going to hit and as a woman it's so important because as a mother, as a wife, I have a daughter, I have sisters, this hits home to us,” Henick said.

This year's grand marshal, Holly Bonner said that's the heart of the organization's mission.  

"I'm here because I'm a breast cancer survivor,” she said. “I was diagnosed two weeks before my 19th birthday now I have two daughters of my own ages two and four and we want to find a cure for this disease."

Organizers anticipate nearly 9,000 people to participate in this weekend's walk, raising about half a million dollars.

More than 120 thousand are expected to walk citywide.