The Sacramento Monarchs own Yolanda Griffith and DeMya Walker were amongst 16,000 friends Sunday morning in downtown Sacramento, supporting the American Cancer Society's 11th Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

Yolanda Griffith

"We’re out here supporting all the recoveries and victims of breast cancer," Griffith said in-between rebounding at the Monarchs Sport Court shooting station. "We’re just trying to lend a helping hand and help put a smile on people's faces. It’s always good to get out in the community and show everybody that we support all the struggles that they go through."

Griffith rebounded for young and old alike and whether the Monarchs fans made or missed their shot, they won a variety of Monarchs gifts -- T-shirts, pins, flags, hats and more. The Monarchs All-Star center hit the glass for the fans, danced and brought a smile to everyone's face, despite having her right hand in a cast to protect her surgically repaired right thumb.

"I’m having a ball!" Griffith said smiling and laughing as she usually does off the court. "Even though I have my cast on my hand, I’m still having a ball. I’m figuring out a way to sign autographs so it’s pretty good. I’m trying to get somebody to dance but nobody wants to dance! They’re saying it’s too early. It’s never too early!"

The Monarchs hosted an arts & crafts tent as well as a Monarchs airbrush tattoo/ face painting stand. Monarchs fans also had the chance to meet with Monarchs Ticket Sales representatives. Those who were already Monarchs MVPs had a seat relocation event, so it was a busy day for all. The most important thing, of course, was making sure everyone was having a good time in honor of those who have been affected by breast cancer.

"We're mingling with the people, enjoying the survivors, enjoying those who maybe are going through something that just need a little bit of uplifting," Walker said. "We're having a good time!"

Walker, like her teammate, interacted with the fans, took hundreds of pictures, signed a litany of Monarchs team posters and hammed it up as she always does with her daughter, Zachara, at her side.

The Monarchs role was small, but their impact was vast. Many of the players and coaches have close family members who have dealt with breast cancer. One breast cancer survivor and Monarchs fan was so happy to see the home team she couldn't stop smiling.

DeMya Walker

"It's very cool!" Mary Bemegas said of meeting Walker and Griffith and getting their autographs. "I am a breast cancer survivor. It's very meaningful (for them to be out here). It’s very, very heartwarming."

"I went to the breast cancer game and I went to one other game last season and I’m going to make a whole bunch more next year."

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk was a success as participants helped raise $700,000 for the fight against breast cancer. The event not only raised funding and awareness, it brought people from all over to California’s capitol and the Monarchs were overjoyed to be a part of it.

"The Monarchs support the fans and breast cancer awareness," Griffith said. "We had a great time."