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Celebrities Push For Increased Breast Cancer Awareness

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Breast cancer, like any other disease, can happen to anyone and celebrities are certainly not immune. Many stars of the big and small screen have come together to push for increased breast cancer awareness.

Comedienne Wanda Sykes is just one of the many celebrities who have joined the fight against breast cancer by going public.

She recently told Ellen DeGeneres she was diagnosed with the disease while having breast reduction surgery in February. Sykes underwent a double mastectomy to reduce future risks.

Jennifer Aniston brought some star power to the Inova Breast Cancer Center in Alexandria, Virginia recently. She and Dr. Jill Biden listened to the shared stories of breast cancer survivors.

"It's time to get the word out and that's why we are here today to tell women to go get mammograms," said Dr. Biden.

Aniston, Demi Moore and Alicia Keys recently stepped behind the camera to direct a special film for Lifetime called "Five." The anthology tells the overlapping stories of five women with breast cancer. The film will be shown throughout the month of October on Lifetime.

Elizabeth Hurley and her new fiancé retired Australian cricketer Shane Warne lit up Jenners Department Store in Scotland recently in a bright pink hue as part of a campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer.

"We're doing this in memory for everybody who has lost their lives to breast cancer with the hopes that one day there will be a time that women stop dying for this disease," said Hurley.

While promoting her new dance album "Miss Little Havana", South Florida's own superstar Gloria Estefan switched subjects easily when asked about breast cancer.

"It's very important to stay on top of everything to do with breast cancer because early detection is the key. You have to be on top and be aware because it's completely curable and you can win that fight. It's just the earlier the better," said Estefan.

Julianna Marguiles, who is enjoying her 3rd season on the Good Wife on CBS and a recent Emmy win, shared her personal thoughts about the disease and stressed the importance of mammograms.

"You have to get a mammogram every year. You have to. I started at 35 because my grandmother had breast cancer. It's the most important thing to stay on top of your health," said Marguiles.

That's pretty sound advice and what the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is all about. The South Florida race takes place Saturday, October 15th in downtown Miami. CBS4 is a sponsor.

Click here for more information or to make a donation.

If you can't make the race, you can watch it during a 3-hour live special the morning of the race from 7:00 – 10:00 a.m. on CBS4.

Click here for a gallery of Celebrity Breast Cancer Survivors.

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