Thousands of people turned out Sunday morning for the American Cancer Society's annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in the Bronx.

Participants decked out in pink were stepping off in Orchard Beach with the goal of raising money and awareness to fight breast cancer.

Organizers say last year, more than 13,000 participants took part in the walk, raising more than half a million dollars to be invested in groundbreaking research.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 252,710 women will be diagnosed with the disease, and more than 40,000 will die from it this year. Another 2,470 men are expected to be diagnosed.

Experts say preventative measures are key, like getting tested each year.

Since 1993, organizers say more than 13 million supporters have raised more than $810 million to help end breast cancer. Today, the walks are held in more than 250 communities nationwide.