SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the city of Springfield held its annual "Pink & Denim Day" fundraising event. This event was held to raise awareness and funds to support the Rays of Hope Center for breast cancer research. A sea of pink filled Springfield City Hall as Rays of Hope reps and City officials celebrated Pink and Denim Day. As part of the event, attendees wore pink and denim to show support for those fighting breast cancer. "It's like a big pink hug, and I just feel so supported, and they've always been there for us, and that's why Rays of Hope is so successful because the community really embraced it," said Founder of Rays of Hope, Lucy Giuggio-Carvalho. Through this initiative, Springfield has not only raised awareness but also tens of thousands of dollars through city employees, since 2008. "Everyone knows someone that has been affected either a mother, sister, wife or spouse, a neighbor, a friend's mother, or something like that. So this is an element that impacts everyone so any kind of outreach or support, support this," Bill Baker, Chief of Staff for Mayor Sarno. This year marks the 31st anniversary of Rays of Hope. To date, the foundation has raised over $17 million across western Massachusetts to help individuals in their fight against breast cancer. "Today we can say we've changed the way we treat, we've extended lives and we offer hope," said the Director of annual giving & events for Baystate Health Foundation, Kathy Tobin. With this funding, Rays of Hope has been able to fund state-of-the-art equipment, breast health programs, outreach, and education through Baystate Health, and provide grants for complementary therapies and cancer programs. You can show your support this Sunday at The Rays of Hope walk and run, which will be taking place at Temple Beth El in Springfield. Our very own, 22news anchor Taylor Knight will be emceeing the event. Local News Headlines Minor injuries reported in three-car collision in Springfield Sen. Warren urges action on gun trafficking in Springfield Massachusetts Senate suspends their rules Voting measures for incarcerated people WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.