There were smiling face and pink hats everywhere Thursday at the Maple Valley Community Center.

But all the fun and games was for a very serious cause, to raise money to help find a cure for breast cancer.

The Valley Girls and Guys Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk team threw a back-to-school carnival fundraising event, and it was the place to be.

The carnival featured food, fun and games. The games included ringtoss, a bubble-gum game, face painting and miniature golf.

Tracy Kudrna, who cooked and served hot dogs at the event, knows first hand what it means to face breast cancer and the fight it takes to battle the disease.

“I was diagnosed last May,” Kudrna said. “Last year friends were doing the walk in my honor, because I couldn’t do it.”

Her husband, Larry, said, “The support she has gotten from the team has been phenomenal. It was hard to comprehend how this community came together and supported her.”

Following the event, Tina McDonough said the team has raised $127,000, the second highest fundraising team in the state.

“Now when people see us on the road training in our pink hats they can honk at us,” McDonough said.

McDonough said each person walking raised at least $2,300 and will walk 60 miles in three days.

There are a total of 57 members on the team, including four men, while the rest of team members are women.

The team will walk Sept. 11, 12 and 13 at Shoreline Community College.

For information about the organization and three-day walk check out the Web site.

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com or (425)432-1209 ext. 5050.

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