PORTLAND — More than 3,000 people crowded into Monument Square this morning for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

Organizers say event is expected to raise $250,000, which supports breast cancer research, education, and patient support programs offered by the American Cancer Society.

Susan Clifford, state director of communications for the American Cancer Society, said the walk is an important celebration of life. She said many of the participants are cancer survivors.

This year, nearly 1,160 women in Maine will be diagnosed from breast cancer and an estimated 200 people will die from the disease.