Glenda Thornton lives a very active life. She’s a senior attorney at the Bateman Harden law firm and she sits on the boards of Tallahassee Memorial Health Center, The United Way, and Seminole Boosters.

However, in 2007, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing surgery and six weeks of radiation, she managed to overcome it. She’s been cancer-free for two years now.

“I was shocked, but I was ready to fight from the very beginning,” said Thornton, a Star Trek and NASCAR memorabilia collector. “After going through that, it made me appreciate the things I took for granted.”

Neal Morris, whom Thornton calls “her guy,” said for him it was a sobering moment.

“When she found out, she called me and I literally had to take a moment and pause,” he said, adding that he contemplated getting on a plane to comfort her right at that moment. “I appreciate her a lot more now because there was a time where I might have lost her.”

Morris said he feels the most important thing a partner can do in this situation is be there for the other person.

Thornton, the immediate past chairman of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, and Morris were among the estimated 2,000 people participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k Walk in SouthWood Sunday afternoon.

The walk kicked off at 3 p.m. with the Chrome Divas leading the way on their motorcycles decorated in pink. Enthusiastically following behind was a sea of walkers in pink shirts, some breast cancer survivors and some just supporters.

“It’s always exciting to see how many people will come out and participate in the event,” said Cissy Proctor, chairwoman of the event. “It’s inspirational to see people come out in support of people who have survived and are still fighting cancer.”

One in eight women nationwide will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.

The walk is a fundraiser for breast cancer research with the American Cancer Society. By Sunday, the group had raised $15,000 of its $125,000 goal.