WESTPORT — The 29th annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk-a-thon, sponsored by the Fairfield County chapter of the American Cancer Society, will take place Oct. 15 at Sherwood Island State Park.

The event gets underway at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, when the “Wellness Village” opens, followed by opening ceremonies at 9:45 a.m. featuring remarks by Dr. Lisa Phuong of Nuvance Health.

The walk is scheduled to start at 10:15 a.m. For more information and to register, click here. (It will take place rain or shine.)

More than 5,000 people are expected to participate, according to organizers.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event also will feature a “Men Wear Pink” snack tent, Westport firefighters, a “Kids Zone,” merchandise, a “Survivors” tent, and health and wellness information.

This year, 3,620 women in Connecticut will be diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. The illness also affects men

There are now more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., while the breast cancer death rate dropped by 42 percent from 1989 to 2019 because of earlier detection through increased awareness and mammography screening, as well as advances in treatments, the cancer society reports.