It was a bedazzling day in downtown Beaumont Saturday; a day of celebration, survivorship and a symbol of hope.
Saturday, the Julie Rogers Gift of Life program hosted the Julie Richardson Procter Ribbon Run/Walk.
Breast cancer survivor, Beth Malone, says she's very excited to participate in events like this because she's been living without breast cancer for six years now.
Another participant, Stephanie East, says her mom is a five-year breast cancer survivor and events like this are dear to her heart.
The rain held off just long enough for the hundreds to run downtown. Two men tied for the fastest time. The two ran three miles in 19 minutes and 7 seconds.
Arriving just in time to cheer on the runners was fitness guru, Richard Simmons.
Simmons invited 12 News HD into his dressing room to talk about the real meaning of the event: H.O.P.E. which Simmons says stands for Health, Optimism, Passion, and Energy.
Simmons says you can cope when you have hope.
"God could have made you a rose that lasted 5 days or a butterfly that lasted 3 weeks. He didn't. He made you a human being and you can live for decades," said Simmons.
"Right now, Julie Rogers is in heaven and looking down. She's saying look at Beaumont, Texas", Simmons said.
During the bra auction, a Richard Simmons crystal sports bra sold for $1,600.
Also part of Saturday's entertainment was singer Yvonne Washington of Houston.
