Pictured are LINKS Pink Walk participants wearing pink mustaches in 2018. This year's event will be held Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. Submitted photo

LINKS Charity will host the ninth annual “LINKS Pink Walk: A Celebration of Courage” presented by Univera Healthcare on Saturday at Northwest Arena, 319 W. Third St.

The event will celebrate the courage of those who have faced breast cancer. All proceeds stay local in Chautauqua County to enhance cancer care at UPMC Chautauqua.

Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and many family-friendly activities including face painting, coloring table for children, a basket giveaway, DJ by Steve Trapani and more. At 9:15 a.m., LINKS Charity will pay tribute to the courage of all those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Suzanne Allen, LINKS Charity’s breast cancer advocate, will be there to speak on behalf of her journey she has had to endure this past year. Allen is the coordinator of Office Administration at Bemus Point Methodist Church and is involved in many organizations throughout the community.

At 9:30 a.m., the walk and 5K run will begin and be led by breast cancer survivors as all walkers will carry the LINKS Tribute Chain, a chain featuring thousands of pink links that have been purchased ($1 donation) in honor or in memory of loved ones who are or have faced breast cancer. Donations for these pink links are available at supporting event businesses including, Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union branches and UPMC Chautauqua.

Each pre-registered walker ($10 per .5 walker, and $25 per 5K walker and runner) will receive a complimentary pink event t-shirt to wear during the walk. Everyone is encouraged to become a walker, runner, virtual walker, fundraiser or donate if unable able to attend. Visit runsignup.com and search LINKS Pink 5k.

Earlier this year, LINKS Charity announced that it is once again taking a leadership role in the local fight against breast cancer by beginning another 3-year pledge ($300,000) toward medical oncology and cancer care. Mike Roberts, executive director of LINKS Charity stated, “Cancer affects a lot of people in our community, this is one way our committee sees we can make a significant difference.”

UPMC Chautauqua opened the medical oncology unit Oct, 2, gaining additional access to chemotherapy infusion services, as well as additional cancer-related services. Adding medical oncology allows patients to stay closer to home for care, staffed by medical oncologists who travel between Jamestown and UPMC Hamot.

In addition to the major and associate sponsors of LINKS Charity (Truck Lite, Cummins, ALSTAR EMS, United Refining, UPMC and LeChase Construction), the Presenting Sponsor of the 2019 LINKS Pink Walk is Univera Healthcare.

To learn more about the LINKS Pink Walk or to sponsor the walk, contact Cathy Caster, LINKS Pink Walk chair at 664-8255 or email, castercm@upmc.edu.