Lansing - The lawn of the Capitol was packed with 3,600 pink and white shirts Saturday in support of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a walkathon sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

The fourth annual walk brought women and men together to raise $205,000 for breast cancer research and services.

This year 7,300 women in Michigan will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. From that group the disease will claim 1,400 women’s lives.

“It’s necessary for us to be here,” said Ron Landfair, a walkathon participant for three years.

Landfair, director of Black Catholic Ministry for the Diocese of Lansing, said he became involved with breast cancer awareness after hearing stories of survivors at a luncheon.

After he realized the disease could affect the women he knew and worked with, Landfair said he wanted to do something to help out.

“This is a disease that touches everybody,” Landfair said.

With her children J.J. and Andrea standing by her side, Lauren Zaworski, a breast cancer survivor of about two years, told the crowd how cancer affected her life.

“You ask yourself, why me?” she said. “You cry, you pray, you get angry.”

Zaworski said she searched for reliable breast cancer information, and found it and much more in the American Cancer Society.

“They became my caring and compassionate friends,” she said.

Through the positive attitudes of her family, friends and doctors, Zaworski said she found her salvation. “It’s a very scary word, but I’m not afraid of it anymore.”

Sharon Greenhoe, area executive director for the American Cancer Society, said awareness is key to fighting off the disease.

Greenhoe is a 16-year breast cancer survivor, and has seen three of her sisters affected by the disease.

She said it’s rewarding to see people participate in the 3-mile noncompetitive walk because it shows they care about the cause.

“I do this for my sisters, my daughters and my granddaughters,” Greenhoe said.

Michelle Rodgers, a sophomore at Waverly High School, said it was good to see more people are getting involved with breast cancer awareness.

This is the third year Rodgers has participated in the Making Strides walk and said the number of people walking each year has increased.

This year she brought friend and fellow Waverly High School sophomore Lauren Aitch along to the event.

“It’s good to see a lot of people care,” the first time participant said.