LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- For the 15th year, the Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade celebrated those who've conquered breast and ovarian cancer with 149 survivors walking the turf track Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

On an ideal day at the track, survivors donned their pink and proudly walked along the historic track in this year's event in front of tens of thousands of people. For the last seven years, Churchill Downs has partnered with the Norton Cancer Institute to put on the parade in an effort to bring awareness to breast and ovarian cancer.

Survivors Parade (1).jpeg

Breast and ovarian cancer survivors participated in the Kentucky oaks Survivors Parade on May 5, 2023.

The parade was a monumental moment for Shannon McKenna. She said Oaks Day was her diagnosis date back in 2021.

"I remember watching the Survivors Parade and just thinking, 'I'm going to do that,'" she said.

McKenna is a nurse in oncology research and spent two years imaging what it would feel like to reclaim this day.

"I want all the positive emotions over the negative ones I had two years ago," McKenna said.

Now that time has come and she said she feels really good. 

"Just the support, feeling everybody here with you is really cool," McKenna said. "I've never felt like that before."

She walked alongside her longtime friend and fellow survivor and nurse, Elizabeth Jones.

IMAGES | Pretty in pink! Kentucky Oaks crowds flock to Churchill Downs

The dress code for Friday is all about pink. Here's a look at some of the people putting on their finest at the track. 

"It was just kind of nice to have someone who kind of understood," Jones said.

It's an understanding McKenna's own husband could also somewhat share since he survived testicular cancer.

"It's the crappiest club we could've asked to be a part of honestly," McKenna said. "It's something none of us thought we would be doing but just having my husband and having her, it's just an awesome community."

It's a community that's grown after walking alongside so many others who share a similar experience. These women wanted to motivate others just starting cancer treatments of their own.

"Knowing you're not alone and there's people out there going through this and that can support you," Jones said.

In all, the partnership has raised more than $500,000 to help provide critical care — like breast health screenings — to underserved women across the region. 

For the first time in the parade's history, participants were chosen randomly this year. In years past, participants were voted on by the public. 

"Hopefully people can see us and know that we're here for them if they need us," McKenna said.

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