Rain failed to dampen the spirits or keep hundreds of walkers from donning running shoes and pounding the pavement to raise funds for a good cause.

TB Cancer and Health's Dorothy Morgan-Swan said the October 13 Women's Health and Breast Cancer Awareness 3/5K Fun Walk raised more than $50,000 for the charity.

The funds will go towards purchasing a bone densitometre, which costs around $60,000 and is used in the diagnosis of Osteoporosis.

The bone ravaging disease, osteoporosis is a silent thief that robs people of precious bone mass without a single symptom.

It is a debilitating disease characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue which leads to bone fragility and increased risk of fractures.

Osteoporosis can result in disfigurement, low self-esteem and reduced or loss of mobility. At its worse, osteoporosis is responsible for more female deaths than from breast and ovarian cancer combined.

Most of these women die as a result of osteoporotic fractures.

Researchers maintain that there is not one single cause for osteoporosis, but there are several factors that play a role in the disease's development.

Having your doctor perform a risk factor assessment is an important first step in determining a person's risk of osteoporosis.

Although the disease is predominately found in post-menopausal women, men can also suffer from it.

But researchers believe that the disease can be almost 100 percent preventable, just by getting enough calcium and vitamin D.

Dr. Fiona Ross spoke briefly about the disease and the importance of bone density testing at the Fun Walk.

The adoption of osteoporosis as one of their causes by no means that TB Cancer and Health have turned their back on the battle against breast cancer.

Breast cancer awareness was still the driving force behind the 3/5K walk with many of the 400-plus walkers dedicating their hike to women they personally knew who were fighting the disease.

"One group of walkers were Walking for Sue which was inscribed on the T-shirts,'' explained Ms Morgan-Swan. "Sue and her friends, with their dogs, raised about $5,000 in pledges.

"A second group were walking for Shirley Ballantyne Humphreys, whom the walk was dedicated to for her commitment to early detection and Breast Cancer Awareness.

"Her husband, son, the Just Between Us support group members and friends walked for Shirley who passed away this July. She was a breast cancer survivor of over 30 years, she did not die from her breast cancer.'' Taking the lead: Walkers get ready for their charity effort at this month's fundraising event which raised thousands of dollars.

FUND RAISER FNR CLUB CLB