Cyndi Loza

Leading a march of dancing breast cancer survivors, Marsha Dupree of Sparks performed Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” on Sunday for her fellow counterparts in pink.

Dupree, 56, said the song has been a favorite to perform annually at the Susan G. Komen Northern Nevada Race for the Cure.

“We’re survivors,” said Dupree, who was diagnosed with breast cancer 17 years ago. “(The song’s) kind of a good way in terms of holding your head up and saying that you’re somebody new and you’re not going to give up.”

More than 4,800 people ran and walked the 5-kilometer race around the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

Informational booths, activities and merchandise were located on the Quad. Various groups including Pinky McNipple and the Mammogram Nags performed throughout the event.

“We probably have 1,000 more people than last year,” said Perri Finch, co-chair of the event. “I’m amazed.”

Carissa Snedeker, 52, of Silver Springs raised $5,500 with her 61-member team, “Charles River Valor.” Snedeker said she has participated in the event regularly since it started 10 years ago.

“It’s just always been important,” said Snedeker, team captain. “I’ve had so many family and friends that have been affected by this disease. It’s just touched me personally.”

Martha Soriano, 39, of Reno said she rallied her family together for the race to support her mother-in-law, Petra Soriano, who was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago.

“Young people, they got to pay attention to their parents if they’ve had breast cancer and be aware of the communities and help out,” said Soriano, wearing a pink cowboy hat.

Sherry Johnson, 47, Spanish Springs, said the event gave her the opportunity to connect with other breast cancer survivors.

“I’m here by myself but it’s nice to have other people around that you can talk to that have gone through the same thing you have,” said Johnson, who held a pink balloon with the number of years she has survived breast cancer: one year and three months.

“Because people who haven’t gone through it really, I don’t think, can appreciate how hard it was and what you had to endure just to get through the treatment. … So, just having other people to relate to is kind of nice because I have not had the opportunity to talk to anybody else since I got cancer before.”