[UPDATE] Tallahassee, Florida - August 21, 2012

"I had breast cancer 18 years ago," said Sue Johns, who is cancer free and wearing her survival around her neck.

"The beads that you see around my neck represent one chain for every year," said Johns.

In a room full of pink ribbon, balloons and bedazzled bras at the Goodwood Museum in Tallahassee, she is not alone in her fight against breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Survivor
"I am a breast cancer survivor, I had breast cancer in 2004," said Linda Cole, who helped run the desk at the entrance of the event.

"I do this for my mom, who has stage 4 breast cancer," said Colette Washington, the income vice chair for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

"Six years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39," said Tiffany Vaus, the head of publicity for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and whose mother survived Breast Cancer

Tuesday night was the kick-off event for a more than month long worth of events leading up to the annual 5k walk. On this night, their symbol of their drive to fight and find a cure, were bras covered in feathers, crystals, flowers and even Chief Osceola.

And many, like Sue Johns, plan to wear these bras loud and proud for that 5k walk.

"Any help that I can give back to them as people gave to me 18 years ago I am so thrilled to be able to give," said Johns.

She hopes this walk will raise money to add another strand of beads to her neck, and hopefully someone else's.

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Tallahassee, Florida- August 21, 2012

The countdown to pink begins! The American Cancer Society is hosting a fun event to raise money for breast cancer research...And they're doing it with bedazzled bras!

Goodwood Museum is hosting the 'Battle of the Bling' event tonight, August 21. 'Battle of the Bling' meaning... 'Blinged out' brassieres!
Last year volunteers and participants tested out their creativity for a great cause. They bedazzled and decorated bras to fight breast cancer.

Tonight's event is part of the annual 'Making Strides' event. This year's 'Making Strides' event includes a fashion show... And the show-stopping garment: A 'blinged out' bra!

Organizers say since this event started 20 years ago breast cancer death rates have gone down more than 32-percent.

The group with the American Cancer Society does this every year to raise awareness about steps we can take to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer, and to raise money.

Tonight's event is leading up to the annual 5k walk in October.

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Tallahassee, Florida- August 15, 2012

The local American Cancer Society and its volunteers are ready to paint the town pink.

Several activities are planned leading up to the annual Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk in October.

And to get things officially rolling, the Strides Against Breast Cancer kickoff event is set for August 21 at Goodwood Museum and Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road Tallahassee, FL 32308.

Every Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk is a powerful and inspiring opportunity to unite as a community to honor breast cancer survivors, raise awareness about steps we can take to reduce our risk of getting breast cancer, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease with breast cancer research, information and services, and access to mammograms for women who need them. Since Making Strides began 20 years ago, breast cancer death rates have declined more than 32 percent.

During Aug. 21 kickoff event, they're doing a "battle of the bling." Decorated/bedazzled bras should be dropped off by August 14th to the American Cancer Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Organizers say the pink bra is a resounding symbol of how personal the fight against breast cancer is to women. Runners/walkers wear these bras as they participate in the marathon in October.