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Freedom Tower Goes Pink For A Great Cause

MIAMI (CBS4) -- A special event was held Friday night to help kickoff Breast Cancer Awareness month. The Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami was illuminated in pink for the second consecutive year to raise awareness for breast cancer.

The tower, located at 600 Biscayne Boulevard, will remain bathed in pink lights for five nights.

"This building has always been a beacon of liberty and tonight when we turn on the lights and we make the tower glow in pink we also hope it's a beacon of breast cancer awareness," said Miami-Dade College's Juan Mendieta.

The iconic monument, which was donated to Miami-Dade College several years ago, will be one of five in the U.S. to be lit. Fifteen other prominent landmarks across the globe will also be lit to raise breast cancer awareness.

The goal is to reach millions of people in more than 70 countries.

"It sees no socio-economic borders, affects all families and with support and with increased awareness, we can generate the funding to hopefully find a cure and prevent this happening," said Mendieta.

Ahead of the event, a group of breast cancer survivors also took part in a special swim with the dolphins of Miami's Seaquarium.

"I got to share the experience with my son, and my friend Tracey," said survivor Jacci Seskain. "I got breast cancer a year after Tracey did, it was about seven years ago, and I got it again this past year, but I'm cured again."

Friday's swim and the pink lighting of the freedom tower are reminders of the special place these cancer survivors have with their family.

"I'm a 19-year survivor next month," said Wendy Springer. "So life has become very precious to me and this is like once in a lifetime. Early diagnosis is the key. It's so important, and everyone has to understand that. That's why I'm healthy and I'm standing here today and feeling great."

If you'd like to take part in another major South Florida effort to fight breast cancer, the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" will take place Saturday, October 15th.

CBS4 is a proud sponsor of the race.

Click here if you'd like to register or find out more information.

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