LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Before the fillies hit the track for the 151st Kentucky Oaks, 150 breast and ovarian cancer survivors and fighters took part in the annual Survivors Parade.

Each honoree and a guest walked before a crowd dressed in pink to honor their cancer fight Friday afternoon for the 17th year of the march honoring those who have fought or are currently battling breast or ovarian cancer.

"It's just a blessing to be here, to be surrounded by these people," said Monta Keown, who is currently fighting Stage 1 breast cancer. "It's amazing the number of people you see and meet that have had this battle, people you just know, just common conversation. You learn so much that people are going through the same battle that you're going through." 

The Twin Spires were lit pink, matching the theme alongside the decorations all around the historic racetrack for the Oaks Friday, along with fans donning their finest pink attire.

Oaks Day celebrates breast and ovarian cancer survivors with the Survivors Parade on the racetrack around 2:30 p.m., between Races 7 and 8.

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This year, the Survivors Parade featured and supported Derby Divas through the Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program and Horses and Hope through Kentucky Cancer Program.

"I'm looking at beautiful women in the most beautiful dresses and fascinators and talking with some of them at my table and we're saying how amazing to be here and yet how sad that we're all part of this club. It means a lot though to see the resilience of these amazing women," said Melanie B. Jacobs.

IMAGES | Survivors Parade honors cancer battle at 151st Kentucky Oaks

Jacobs is the Dean of the UoL Brandeis School of Law. Her diagnosis was discovered during a routine mammogram in July of 2020.

"I do want to give a shout out to Horses for Hope. Mammography is so important. Mammograms save lives. Mammograms are not scary, it does not hurt, it's OK," she said. "You might have a minute or two of discomfort but it is worth it for early detection and early treatment. 

Mia Whitton is a young mom from Elizabethtown who recently entered remission. WDRB shared her story leading up to this years Oaks.

"It feels like this is like the end of a journey," Whitton said after walking down the track. "It feels like I've closed that chapter and this is opening another one." 

By luck, Whitton had the chance to spend the day with another survivor. Her best friend's mom, Jennifer Parker.

"This is not a fight you can do alone," Parker said.

Parker entered remission two and-a-half years ago. 

Whitton said Parker was someone she turned to often during her own battle.

"I told her she's going to get through it," Parker said.

"She said we will get through it ... and that's exactly what she's done. Stand by my side this whole time," Whitton said in response.

Whitton credited Parker's honest and realistic answers to questions about what the experience was like, for carrying her through.

"It's not something that you want your own daughter to go through, and she is like a daughter to me," Parker said. "I'm glad that we're here together. It means a lot. Not that I wanted her to be in this club at all, but I'm glad we get to do it together." 

Participants are nominated, and are selected randomly rather than by a public vote to optimize equal opportunity and consideration, according to Churchill Downs. 

Honorees bring one guest to celebrate the day which includes the royal Derby treatment with their own suite along the first stretch.

For Keown, it was an obvious choice to bring her husband of 23 years.

"He has not left my side since this started," Keown said. "He takes me to every doctor's appointment, he has been my side through every step of the way, every surgery, every procedure ... He deserves to be here." 

To learn more about the Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade, click here. 

Click here to see the names of this year's participants.

More Kentucky Derby Coverage:

Kentucky Derby 151 guide to everything you need to know for Oaks and Derby Days

Star-studded galas, parties to kick off Derby weekend across Louisville

Young mom in remission after aggressive breast cancer fight looks forward to Survivors Parade

Churchill Downs harnesses the power of pink on Kentucky Oaks Day

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