Hundreds Gather At River Spirit Casino For 2021 Race For The Cure

The Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure returned to the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa after going virtual last year.

Hundreds of people, including breast cancer survivors and patients, as well as family and friends are showing support by wearing pink. Many say there is comfort in knowing they aren't alone.

"To be able to be back out in person is just everything," cancer survivor Marolyn Allred said.

Candace Dreyer is a two-year breast cancer survivor.

This is her first time attending the in-person race.

"It's a whole different experience this time surviving it and come out on the other end," Dreyer said. "I'm so glad they had it come back out....everybody together."

First-time racer Lauren Fletcher is here to honor someone who couldn't be here.

"I just wanted to shout out my mom Diana in heaven," Fletcher said. "She was with us today. And then my aunt, who is a survivor as well."

Fletcher's mom died of breast cancer in July.

When Fletcher was coming up with a team name, her mom always told her dream big, inspiring the name Diana's Dreamers.

She says they have an entire community pushing them to dream on.

"The support and the community...watching everyone who has their different stories is just really cool to be a part of," Fletcher said. "It feels like a lot of support. It's really cool. "

The money raised goes toward funding national research, local programs for survivors, and creating better access to treatment.