Breast cancer survivors and advocates say awareness about the cancer is still crucial, even decades after the Breast Cancer Awareness Month was established.

Patty Ferris, of White Plains, is a proud 21-year breast cancer survivor.

It's a title that she says shouldn't be scary or shameful.

"It is not a death sentence. If you are positive about your treatment, if you're positive about life and you want to live, it is definitely something that you can do," Ferris says.

Ferris shared her message of hope at a breast cancer awareness month kickoff event.

It was held on Wednesday at Manhattanville University in Purchase and was organized by the American Cancer Society.

"We're celebrating 40 years of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society was proud to bring together our partners to spread awareness and get people excited for our walk coming up at Oct. 19," says society representative Sheila Bogan.

Even after four decades of awareness, Dr. Anna Komorowski, from the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, says there's still work to be done.

"We still see the patients in our offices, in our clinics, who come with advanced breast cancer because they didn't follow the recommended screening [and] mammogram, once a year," Komorowski says.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 19,000 women in New York will be diagnosed in 2025.

It's why Dr. Komorowski urges everyone to pay attention to their bodies.

"If they see something, they have to say something. They have to bring it to our doctors [and] seek medical attention," Komorowski says.

To help spread that message even further, county executive Ken Jenkins announced that Westchester is going pink this month.

"It is critically important for people to be engaged and involved and participate and be here on Oct. 19 for the breast cancer walk," Jenkins says.

If you're interested in attending the walk at Manhattanville University, organizers say there is still time to sign up online.

Organizers say this Westchester walk is the sixth highest grossing "Making Strides" walk in the country.

Organizers say they hope to raise $1 million this year for research and support.