Mary Ann Harper said she likely has pink-garbed bikers to thank for her surviving breast cancer.

On Saturday, she embraced the support of bikers and their families at the third annual Pink Ribbon Ride for Breast Cancer Awareness held at Indigo Joe's Sports Pub.

"I'm probably here today because of events like this," said Mrs. Harper, who traveled from Savannah, Ga., for the event. "If it wasn't for early detection, I wouldn't be here. They help raise awareness."

About 40 bikers took a drive Saturday morning from the Harley-Davidson shop on Belair Frontage Road to Indigo Joe's on Wheeler Road, said Teresa Lee, the officer for the Ladies of Harley.

To help support breast cancer awareness, a silent auction was held and pink ribbons were sold at the event, she said.

"We really want to educate the people who take part in the ride," Mrs. Lee said. "Men and women are susceptible, so we want to stress the importance of getting checked."

Nancy King, the owner of Indigo Joe's, said she was honored to play host to the event for the third year. Her mother is a 12-year breast cancer survivor.

"I just hope that this will really get the message out for women who don't take it seriously," she said. "I never really thought a lot about it until my mom was diagnosed."

Mrs. Harper said she lost her mother to breast cancer several years ago. When she was diagnosed in July, she had much to learn about the disease, she said.

"My first thought was, I'm going to die like my mom did," she said. "Now, the doctors have helped me realize that it's a different time and I can make it through this."

Mrs. Harper is undergoing radiation. She has received four treatments and has 31 to go, she said. Her daughter, Gail Harper, invited her to come down to the Pink Ribbon Ride event after learning that the bike run would be held at her workplace.

Both agreed that seeing the outpouring of support was uplifting.

"It feels really great," Ms. Harper said. "I never thought I'd see macho bikers in pink shirts. That really shows how important it is for everybody to become aware."