Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, Amy Monteleone of Center Township knows the importance of raising awareness.

Monteleone was just 31 when she was diagnosed with Stage II metastatic breast cancer.

“It's terrifying when you find out,” Monteleone said. “My son Matthew was a little over a year old and my only worry was am I going to be here to raise him?”

To spread awareness, Monteleone created Spring For A Cure, a fundraising event to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Held annually since 2008, this year's event was Sunday at the Atrium in Prospect and tickets sold out for the first time.

This year, Spring For a Cure raised $27,000, which is $5,000 more than last year.

The 300 attendees bid on donated auction items including a signed Troy Polamalu jersey and a Swarovski crystal camel.

One of the volunteers who planned the event is Bonnie Forsythe of Butler Township, who had a friend suffering from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and joined Monteleone's efforts in 2008.

“We just kind of talked about it and I realized I want to do something similar,” Forsythe said. “We just wanted to raise money because we knew the value of research.”

Monteleone, Forsythe and the other volunteers planned months in advance for the gala.

“We spend countless hours working on the event,” Monteleone said. “We usually start working on the event in January and never stop until it's over.”

Following her 2001 diagnosis, Monteleone was cancer-free after surgery and eight months of radiation and chemotherapy.

Sadly, the cancer returned by February 2007 and she was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer.

Stage IV metastatic breast cancer — the most serious form of breast cancer — indicates that the cancer has spread beyond the breast and lymph nodes to other parts of the body, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's website.

“My son has kept me fighting,” Monteleone said. “If you give up mentally, you just go downhill.”

Monteleone said she does get tired, but supporting such causes is worth all the effort.

“I cry ever year when we announce how much money we've made,” Monteleone said. “All the support is amazing.”

This year's biggest sponsor was 4-Most Group, an architectural company that is owned by Forsythe's parents and employs both Monteleone and Forsythe.

In addition to coordinating Spring For a Cure, Monteleone has participated for 12 years in the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure in Pittsburgh, an annual fundraising walk.

With more than $10,000 raised, Monteleone was recognized for collecting the most amount of money.

“I started out just walking with my mom and then we started a team,” said Monteleone, whose team is called Monteleone Team 4 Amy. “We usually have 25 people that walk with us.”

Monteleone's family, friends, and co-workers are all behind her as she continues to battle breast cancer.

Forsythe's friend Mike Bingham of Maryland was diagnosed in 2003 with nonHodgkin's Lymphoma. After treatment, he was told in 2004 that he was in remission.

Still, Forsythe wanted to be part of Spring For A Cure — not just for Bingham, but for others fighting incurable diseases.

Bingham gives credit to both women for their dedication and commitment in getting donations to fund research and ultimately find a cure for cancer.

“So many people have been affected by cancer in one way or another and this event is one way to celebrate life,” Bingham said.