HASTINGS, Neb. -- Breast cancer survivor, Carissa Uhrmacher, was caught off guard when she got diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, but on Thursday she bravely shared the lessons learned through her journey.

“I really thought in September when I got diagnosed that ‘oh good I’ll be done by Christmas life will be normal, I’ll moved on,'" Uhrmacher said. "And it’s almost two years later, and I’m still taking medicine and I have scars. “

Uhrmacher attended a joint event between the Mary Lanning Healthcare Foundation and GRACE Cancer Foundation.

This year the Making Strides for Cancer Walk and Butterfly Release was held at the Lynn Farrell Arena parking lot at Hastings College.

Mary Lanning Foundation Chief Development Director Susan Meeske said the event is meant to be impactful.

“It’s important just so our patients know that nobody fights cancer alone," Meeske said. "That’s the thing we really want them to go away [with] and have that great feeling.”

The funds raised by the Mary Lanning Foundation are meant to benefit patients who are stuck financially. It will also help pay for medical equipment.

The GRACE Cancer Foundation helps patients financially and emotionally, emphasizing mental health for patients and their families.

Uhrmacher was amazed at seeing more than 400 people at the event.

“I’m looking around here and I see so many survivors that were there for me or knew that I got diagnosed right before they did," Uhrmacher said. "And it’s like kind of a sisterhood or a bond where we hold each other up, and try to understand where you’re at and what’s going and be supportive.”

She attended the butterfly release last year. This year, she came back with some added wisdom.

“You just have to keep taking it one step at the time and thank people for the support that they give you, and I try to really be encouraging of the people that I know that, it’s going to be hard but they can get through it,” Uhrmacher said.