Today Hockey players and fans around the Midwest united to help fight breast cancer at MARS Lakeview Arena in Duluth.

Joel Runck was at the eighth-annual Cancer Shootout and tells us how breast cancer survivors are using hockey to help beat the deadly disease.

It's a disease that takes a toll on thousands of women each year.
Cancer Shootout reports that breast cancer kills more than 40-thousand women annually.

"It's truly a personal mission for me to find a cure and find a treatment for breast cancer so people don't have to go through this anymore," said Briana Johnson, organizer.

It all began in 2001.
A group of friends were trying to raise money to help Liz Taylor battle breast cancer.

She unfortunately lost, the fight, but each year the event has grown.
On hand today was hockey legend Bobby Hull, who was signing autographs for fans of all ages.

Organizers say the shootout helps to carry on Taylor's memory.

"The event was really created out of love for a friend going through cancer and at this point eight years later-breast cancer affects so many people," said Johnson.

Breast cancer survivors say it's more than just raising money for medical research. Those who have battled the deadly disease say the game of hockey helped them ease the pain.

"The survival rate is wonderful now, so you know it's just like one day at a time-do the treatments and go on with your life. I skated through the whole thing," said Kathy Amborn, breast cancer survivor.

However the battle for victims has not been as easy.

Other cancer survivors who shared their story say a key component to the battle is remaining optimistic.

"I remember one week I spent in bed because I thought that was they way to do it and it was the longest three days of my life." "I said 'no more.' I'm going to just get up and keep moving and you got to face the day with a positive attitude or it's going to be as bad as you make it," saib Barb Payette, breast cancer survivor.

Making a difference one step and one year at a time.

This year's Cancer Shootout raised more than 20-thousand dollars.
All the proceeds from the event go to St. Luke's.