Thousands were out walking in hopes of finding a cure. Many hoping to raise awareness that breast cancer does not see color or gender.

Lorenda Spilker is a third year breast cancer survivor- a disease her family is very familiar with.

“On my father’s side I have four aunts, one uncle and my brother,” said Spilker.

She said although a smaller percentage of those diagnosed with breast cancer each year are men, she’s lost an uncle and a brother to the disease.

“It was determined when my grandfather was born that the cancer cell had mutated and went to the male children,” said the three year survivor.

And as a result, all of the men in her family get checked annually as do the women.

Georgia Little is an eleven year survivor. As a Caterpillar employee, Little had to get annual physicals so she was used to getting mammograms and doing self exams.

“I went to the doctor because there was a difference in my breast on one side, so I knew something was wrong with it,” said Little.

She’s been cancer free the past decade, but what scares her is the lack of awareness in the black community.

“What I worry most about the black community is hesitation, not sure if they should go and find out. That sort of thing- until it’s too late.”

The eleven year survivor says she’s walked in the Peoria Race for the Cure the past 20 years but she said, “now since it hit me, it’s a different story. Every year is more precious than the year before”

Little and Spilker urge everyone to be aware of breast cancer and protect them selves, because they say it’s not a disease that attacks certain ethnicities or genders.

Spilker said “it’s just not a woman’s disease anymore.” By Gina Ford, msnbc