Women like Gerri Teszlewicz are walking in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk because it's a problem that's personal to her.

"I thought I 'd lived right, I'd exercised, I wasn't overweight, I ate right; the doctor found a little lump and it ended up only being 1.2 centimeters, but the hardest part was waiting the two weeks for the diagnosis," Teszlewicz said.

In 2002 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, but now eight chemotherapy treatments and 30 radiation sessions later, she's walking down a path of survival, a fight she say wouldn't be possible without her family.

"They took me to my treatments, they sat with me, they talked to me, my sister listened to me cry," Teszlewicz said.

For other survivors walking for the cause, it was their faith that brought them through.

"I felt his presence when I was sick, so I thank God everyday for my health and being healthy," said Lena Wyeth, a breast cancer survivor.

Organizers hope to raise nearly $200,000 after Saturday's breast cancer walk and a large percentage of that money will help breast cancer patients right in mid-Michigan.

"The programs that we supply here in the Lansing area through our Capital Service Center, as well as just having someone to talk to, and all of the research that happens, I think it's priceless," said Christina Morris of the American Cancer Society.

And while there may not be a cure today, survivors are still holding onto hope for tomorrow.

"I know that this money will help all the research, so I think someday there will be a cure," Teszlewicz said.

"The survival rate is really good and one day there will be a cure," Wyeth said.

A cure to carry future generations.

If you cannot afford a mammogram, find out if you are eligible for a free breast cancer and cervical cancer screening by visiting www.michigancancer.org/bccp.