When Decatur resident Adam Weeks witnessed 900 pink balloons fill an overcast sky Saturday morning, he was reminded of his mother’s recent bout with breast cancer.

Weeks, donning a hot pink T-shirt at the Lee Lott Power of Pink event downtown, said he took part in the walk to support his mother, a breast cancer survivor for two years.

“My mom is my heart,” he said. “I remember exactly what I was doing on the day she called to tell me she had breast cancer.”

Cory Kelly, a Madison resident, joined Weeks to raise funds for cancer research in the parking lot beside the new Alabama Center for the Arts on Second Avenue Southeast.

The estimated 900 participants united for the ceremonial walk to honor those who have battled breast and other types of cancer.

Every dollar raised will benefit Decatur Morgan Hospital’s Breast Health and Cancer Services.

Kelly, whose loved ones have been impacted by cancer, wanted to show his dedication to helping find a cure for the disease.

“It’s good to be a supporter to let people know that other people care about them and are rooting for them,” he said.

The Susan B. Komen for the Cure Foundation predicts 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 39,510 breast cancer deaths will occur among women in the U.S. this year.

More than 2,100 new cases of breast cancer and 410 related deaths are expected to occur among men.

Decatur High School teacher Lee Lott, who was diagnosed with stage-four inflammatory breast cancer in 2009, led the walk with hundreds of family members, friends, survivors and caregivers.

The form of the disease that attacked Lott accounts for about 2 percent of all breast cancers.

It progresses rapidly and often reaches an advanced stage before discovery.

After a year of painful treatments, Lott was declared cancer-free on May 4, 2010 — her daughter’s 21st birthday.

“The beauty of the day and the surroundings of our beautiful city remind us all that we’re so glad to be alive,” she said.

Decatur City Schools Superintendent Ed Nichols, who acted as emcee at the walk, has attended the event in support of Lott and other survivors the past three years.

Nichols met Lott about 25 years ago in the Decatur school system and remained close friends with her during her cancer treatments.

“If all of us in the Decatur community could have the spirit and positive attitude that she has every day for whatever challenge we face, our whole community would improve,” he said.

Breast cancer events

• Breast Cancer Luncheon and Fashion Show, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Ingalls Harbor Pavilion, Decatur. Tickets are $65 and a table for 10 is $600. Proceeds benefit Decatur Morgan Hospital’s Breast Health and Cancer Services and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. Contact 256-341-2188.

• Pink Elephant Luncheon, noon Wednesday, Limestone County Event Center, Athens. Proceeds benefit the Pink Elephant Mammogram Scholarship program and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. Contact 256-233-9236.

• Chili Cook Off for Breast Cancer Awareness, Oct. 21, Glass’ Cocktails and Grill, Decatur. Proceeds benefit the Steel Magnolias Breast Cancer Support Group. Contact 256-351-1108

• Pink garbage cans available for $75, 1600 W. Elm. St., Athens. Proceeds benefit the Pink Elephant Mammogram Scholarship program. To purchase a pink garbage can, visit www.mypinkelephant.org. Contact 256-262-1399

Video: Power of Pink Walk