More than 3,300 people dressed in pink t-shirts, socks, wigs and tutus flooded the streets near Raymond James Stadium.
They were there for their cousins. Their sisters. Their friends. Themselves.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosted the second annual Treasure Chest 5K Run/Walk Sunday morning before the game against the Baltimore Ravens. The event partnered with local cancer-fighting organizations such as Florida Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center to raise money for breast cancer research.
Stephanie Moon took each step of the 5K with her closest friends by her side. They all wore matching “Team Steph” t-shirts and pink bracelets.
“They actually did this as a surprise,” Moon said. “They’re my best friends and they’re here to support me.”
Moon was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and will undergo surgery in a few days. The women have been friends for more than 25 years, and Mitzi Shaw knew they had to show their support.
“I bought us bracelets that we’re going to wear all throughout her treatments until she’s done,” Shaw said.
Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis in women, according to the American Cancer Society. About 200,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed this year.
“Many people have been touched by breast cancer,” said Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, one of the owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “To have an event of this size is a beautiful way to show our support in the fight against the disease.”