Annual event raises funds and offers a community of support for those battling breast cancer.

Every evening the sun sets over Manistee bathing it in a soft pink glow... but now the victorian port city is ablush for a different reason. '

"I moved to Manistee about 7 years ago and the following year was diagnosed with breast cancer. What I found was this small community came out in droves to help me and I had an instant support system and that makes me want to give back," Explains Clara Kahle. 

Kahle helped share that support with her friends and neighbors with Manistee's "Paint The Town Pink" event for breast cancer awareness.

From school kids scribbling messages of hope on the sidewalk, to shop owners sharing words of support in store windows, and walkers raising awareness one step at a time.

The entire town exploded with this last year," Says Radiographer Mammographer Gina Hodges. In its first year, "Painting The Town Pink really paid off.  Money raised helped purchase new digital mammography equipment for West Shore Medical Center.

"For our patients it's huge," Explains Hodges.  "They no longer have to travel 90-120 miles north or south to have the best technology available."

"it's like night and day difference. It's like looking through the fog," Kahle says.  "Looking at that clear picture gives me a great deal of hope."

Money raised from this year's two day event will support West Shore's Breast Health Services, while the support for friends and neighbors will continue to pay off in countless ways. "The quicker you build that support network the better off you are going to be because it is a tough journey so do that as quickly as possible," says Hodges.  Kahle agrees, "this is something we as a community and as a nation can do together."

Paint The Town Pink continues Friday in Manistee and tops off with a celebration involving youth athletes.  Manistee High School is taking part in the "Pink Out" at the football game where even the players will be sporting pink jersey's for breast cancer awareness.