(October 6, 2007) -- "How many of you have been affected, or had a friend or familymember affected, by cancer?" was the question...and this was the response from over a thousand people who gathered at LB's Yacht Club early on Saturday morning Oct. 6 for the 8th annual LB "Team Spirit Breast & Ovarian Cancer 10K Walk."

Organizers say 100% of the monies raised (non-registration fees) goes to LB Memorial Medical Center to fund support groups, treatment and clinical research...and the event packs an emotional wallop.

Memory signs ("Walking in memory of...") were available.

We saw many like this one.

This woman, with an infant in a stroller, wears a shirt saying, "Racing for Mom and Grandmom."

The group's website describes the event as "Walking in memory of those who have courageously gone before us, for those currently fighting every day and for those who have not yet started their fight."

The walk started as a grassroots event with a few dozen people...and has built steadily over the years. It's now supported by multiple local groups and businesses including Big Brown Van Design, Dana Leigh Photography, Don Temple Storage, LB Beach Yacht Club. Romance Etc., Wet Paint, Yoplait, Odwalla. Chrysallis Med Spa, Late July Organic Snacks, Beach Fitness in Seal Beach, Tantalum, Schooner or Later, Cucina Picarelli, Complexions Day Spa and Belmont Medical Day Spa.

And for the first time this year, Ralphs was the event's major supporter/presenter.

Ralphs employees fielded a team and wore recognizable red logo'd shirts.

Dr. Robert Nagourney, MD, Medical Director of LB Memorial's Todd Cancer Institute was present with Terry O'Neil, Manager, Corporate Communications of Ralphs Grocery Company. Both received strong applause when introduced. Mr. O'Neil told the crowd that Ralphs was honored to be taking part for the first time...and Dr. Nagourney commended the walkers, supporters and organizers of the event.

Here are walkers from "Team Dempsey's."

Walkers warmed up...

...and took off...

...and walked with gusto.

Thanks to the internet, you can STILL "walk" with the click of your mouse. To make a clickable tax-deductible donation from your chair, just click here and scroll down for donation click box. [If anyone asks where you heard about it, let them know it was from "LongBeachReport.com."]

As of this morning (Oct. 6), the teamspirit.org website indicated they'd raised nearly $42,000...with a goal of $100,000.