Alpharetta residents can join a breast cancer awareness walk at Alpharetta City Center on Sunday, Oct. 11, as part of a statewide push heading into October.

The Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer (GAABC) is hosting its One Step Closer Breast Cancer Walk at the FitLife EXPO from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. The expo runs noon to 5 p.m. and features health screenings, wellness vendors, a blood drive, free fitness, music, giveaways and family activities.

The Alpharetta event follows GAABC's flagship fundraiser, the Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, set for Saturday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 4, in Cobb County. Walkers cover 30 miles over two days and stay overnight at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel.

Presenting sponsor Renasant Bank has an Alpharetta branch at 275 South Main St. Representatives from both GAABC and Renasant appeared on North Fulton Business Radio on Thursday, Sept. 24, to preview the walk.

Registration for the two-day walk ranges from free to $129. A full two-day walker pays $129 and commits to raising $1,200. Saturday-only walkers pay $100 with a $750 fundraising goal. Sunday-only walkers pay $100 with a $500 goal. Students get reduced fundraising commitments, and a virtual walker option carries no fee and no fundraising minimum.

Breast cancer survivors can join the Survivor Victory Lap for $35. The half-mile walk leads participants into closing ceremonies.

Volunteers pay no registration fee and can sign up for as few as four hours. Shifts run Monday, Sept. 28, through Friday, Oct. 2, and on walk days. Two-day crew members pay $129, which covers a shared hotel room Saturday night, meals and crew shirts.

Since 2002, GAABC has raised nearly $21 million and awarded more than 600 grants for breast health services across more than 100 Georgia counties, according to the organization's website. Grants fund mammograms, clinical breast exams, genetic counseling, biopsies and support services, including programs for uninsured and under-insured women. GAABC Executive Director Kristen Petillo handles sponsorship inquiries at [email protected].

Registration and volunteer sign-ups for both events are available at gaabc.org.