Cancer never takes a day off.

Evidently, neither do the 160 people who registered for the 13th annual Lehighton Area Lioness Lions Club Pink Light Walk on Tuesday.

Participants were scheduled to walk from the Lehighton Recreation Center to the Lehighton Amphitheater and back.

However, due to the area being in a tornado watch, the walk was canceled, and instead, participants congregated inside the rec center.

[naviga:iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S7U_SnPkY2U" width="560"][/naviga:iframe]

Despite the walk being canceled, Alicia Silliman of the Lehighton Area Lioness Lions Club said the event was still a success.

“The important thing is we’re creating awareness,” Silliman said. “We want to create awareness about breast cancer, and end breast cancer once and for all.”

Before the start of the event, Danika Witmer, 7, and Kyra Witmer, 3, of Lehighton, took time to sign their names on the “Pink Heals” firetruck.

They were accompanied to the event by their mother, Sara Witmer.

“I love it,” Sara said. “I come for my friend, Gerry Andrews, who is a survivor. She’s a friend that basically turned into family for us.”

Bill Andress, executive director for the Pink Heals, Lehigh Valley Chapter, said the event is a wonderful time.

“Everybody is so warm and welcoming,” Andress said. “We’re already looking forward to next October.”

So, too, is Belinda Fenstermaker, who served as the keynote speaker for the event.

Fenstermaker, of Lehighton, said she is a five-year cancer survivor.

She said that in 2012, a cyst was discovered on her right breast, which was the same spot as her tumors were.

Fenstermaker said that in 2013, she had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy done. She then went for more tests, more blood work, had her port put in, and started her first round of chemotherapy.

She put in eight rounds of chemotherapy over 16 weeks, which ended in January 2014.

“I had two tumors the size of golf balls,” Fenstermaker said.

She then went in for a double mastectomy, and had 35 rounds of radiation.

Fenstermaker said that she sees her oncologist twice a year, her radiation oncologist once a year, and her surgical oncologist once a year.

She said she had an MRI done in 2017.

“It’s always in the back of your head, ‘what if it comes back,’ but you can’t live with the fear; you have to live for today, enjoy life,” Fenstermaker said. “You never know because tomorrow is not promised.”

As part of the ceremony, breast cancer survivors were recognized, with each stating their name and how long they have been a survivor.

Sue Anthony, club secretary, said about 25 to 30 cancer survivors registered.

“It’s absolutely wonderful how our borough works with us and makes this happen,” Anthony said.

All those who participated were asked to wear a pink T-shirt to increase awareness of breast cancer.

Light refreshments were served, and there was a 50/50 drawing and an “In the Pink” raffle.

Funds from the event will be donated to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, and this year, the donation will be made in honor of all survivors who attend and sign the card. The coalition represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants.

The “Pink Heals” firetruck and ambulance were other highlights of the evening, and each participant who registered received a pink glow bracelet, while each survivor received a glow bracelet and gift.

The 25th annual PA Breast Cancer conference will be held in Harrisburg on Friday. For more information about the conference, visit pabreastcancer.org.

See additional photos: https://www.tnonline.com/13th-annual-lehighton-lioness-lions-club-pink-light-walk-0