They walked for their friends and family, and some walked for themselves.

Everyone who took part in the fifth annual Central Plains Cancer Care Challenge Walk Saturday seemed to have a connection with someone who has battled cancer.

About 10 people walked with the group from Child and Family Services Central Manitoba Inc., including two cancer survivors, and raised about $2,000.

"We have been doing this for five years now," said Dianne Hunter, of CFS Central.

She said one of her co-workers died about four years ago from cancer and this year a co-worker's niece is suffering from cancer.

"We are quite pleased to be doing (this), and her mom and aunt are going to meet us at the end of the walk," said Hunter.

While showers started at about 9:30 am, the turnout for the walk was good.

"I was very thrilled with the turnout," said chair of Portage Crew organizing committee Nancy Matthews.

Despite the overcast skies, the Challenge Walk saw many people take part at Island Park when it kicked off at 8 a.m. for a 6.5 km or 15 km walk.

Matthews reported about 200 people registered for the walk.

While not all of them could be there for the walk, they still raised funds through their registration fees of $100 each and any other donations they were collecting.

This year's walk raised $55,640 in funds from participants. The goal was to raise about $60,000, but more money is still to come in during the next couple of weeks, said Matthews, and the campaign continues until the end of the month.

See more in Portage Daily Graphic.

angela.brown@sunmedia.ca