PORTLAND, Ore. -- Pink was the color of choice downtown last weekend and it wasn’t just a fashion statement.

More than 45,000 people strutted through Portland on Sunday as part of the 17th annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer.

Viewer-submitted photo

More than 45,000 breast cancer activists, survivors and volunteers participated in this year's Race for the Cure in Portland.

Survivors and activists joined some 1,200 volunteers to put on the race and raise more than $2.5 million toward breast cancer research, screenings, health education and support services.

In addition, more than 2,300 people from Oregon and Washington who couldn’t attend the race participated in Sleep In for the Cure, a partner fundraiser that brought in more than $64,000.

Fundraising will continue online through Oct. 21 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization will spend $1 billion on cancer research over the next decade.

According to the non-profit, it’s the largest privately-financed breast cancer research in the world.

 Background: 45,000 in Race for the Cure