The Delhi High track looked like a punk convention on Saturday as young men in pink tutus and women with pink hair walked, talked — and sometimes ran — around in circles.

While there was music, the event had a higher purpose: to support Community Cultivators 4-H leader Candy Silveria and her fight with breast cancer.

The 10-mile walk was organized by Westside Ministries, a ministry that provides social and educational services to families on Turlock’s Westside and sponsor of the Community Cultivators 4-H club. The goal: to raise $10,000 for Silveria and her family to help with medical expenses and raise awareness of the benefits of early detection of breast cancer.

When Silveria found out that Westside Ministries had planned the fundraiser in her honor, with the support of the Delhi Unified School District and Emanuel Medical Center, she said she felt “overwhelmed and blessed.”

Silveria’s battle began in June when she found a lump on her breast.

“I always got checked because my aunt passed away at 35 from breast cancer,” Silveria said.

While the members of her 4-H club were busy putting the finishing touches on their Stanislaus County Fair projects, Silveria found out she was the next member of her family to have breast cancer. On Aug. 12, she had a mastectomy. Silveria is now preparing for reconstructive surgery, which will happen on Monday.

But on Saturday, she was all smiles — mainly due to the fact that 250 supporters were wearing their most outrageous pink outfits while sporting “Fight Cancer 4 Candy” T-shirts.

Her nephew, Bubba Compton, not only donned the traditional color of breast cancer awareness on Saturday, but also decked out his pickup truck in a salute to his aunt.

“I did it for my aunt because she is my hero,” said the Delhi mechanic who is training to be a volunteer firefighter.

To contact Kristina Hacker, e-mail khacker@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2004.