DES MOINES, Iowa — The annual Bras for the Cause bike ride brought crowds to downtown, showing off their best bras and raising funds for treatments.

Bras for the Cause held its 5th annual “Cancer”versary bike ride on Sunday. Earlier this week, WHO 13’s Lindsey Burrell was joined by Wanda Barkdoll and Katie Neibauer to discuss the event. Barkdoll shared what makes the ride special.

“Bras for the Cause started in 2007, and the purpose of it was to help Iowans; all the money we raise stays in Iowa. To get those diagnostics, mammograms, cervical screenings that they need and may not be able to afford. A lot of people don’t have insurance, or they have high deductibles, and they aren’t able to get those life-saving screenings, and as we know, early detection is key.”

On Sunday, crowds decked themselves in pink and wore creative bras to spread awareness. The route took riders on a tour of several bars throughout Des Moines, starting and ending at Captain Roy’s.

Dana Wingert, former DMPD chief, shared what makes the event special saying, “Most of it is the camaraderie, I mean, you look around here and you see people that really care. I mean, this is an issue that affects everyone, right, whether it’s you personally or the families. You look around here, you see people that are excited to raise money, you see people that are survivors. Just hearing the stories and talking to the folks, I mean, it doesn’t get any better than this.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, but thousands lack access to treatments and care due to being uninsured or having no insurance. Bras for the Cause will use the funds raised during Sunday’s ride for Iowans seeking cervical or breast cancer treatments.