ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 30, 2009 - This morning, outside Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, the world-famous Radio City Rockettes, arm-in-arm with people in pink, put their heels in the air and stopped traffic along Orange Avenue to "kick off" National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a community kick line! Florida Hospital Cancer Institute (FHCI), University of Central Florida (UCF) and the Rockettes collaborated to support this important cause. The event culminated with a finale kick line led by the Rockettes, featuring FHCI caregivers, UCF students, Miss Florida USA 2010, elected officials, members of the media, community members and breast cancer survivors.

"My story is a story of hope," said Pam Oldham, Florida Hospital Cancer Institute patient and breast cancer survivor. "It's great to have a day like today where we can kick off awareness for a month, to remind women to go get mammograms and see their doctors if they have anything suspicious. It's just making people aware - they may think they're too young, I thought that, but it can happen to anyone."

The event included booths where attendees could get pink hair extensions from Eden Spa; learn about prevention, screening and treatment from FHCI experts; snack on delicious pink refreshments; meet Miss Florida USA 2010, Megan Clementi; mingle with the Rockettes and enter for a chance to win tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular performance in late December.

"I have personally been affected by this disease because I watched a close relative lose her battle with breast cancer about 10 years ago," said Rockette, Karilyn Surratt. "Therefore, I strongly support the need for research and developments so more people can beat this form of cancer in years to come."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women in the United States and is the second most common form of cancer found in women. Though death rates have decreased significantly over the past 20 years, breast cancer still accounts for more than 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. But thanks to new medical advancements, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. October was designated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month 25 years ago and is used to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease and provide greater access to screening services.

"This is why we are here - breast cancer awareness is about getting the word out to everyone about prevention, screening and treatment," said Dr. David Molthrop, Florida Hospital Cancer Institute hematologist & oncologist. "We are dedicated to ensuring that women know they should be screened and providing the best screening equipment and technology available."