Downtown Hinesville was awash in a pink hue last Thursday, in celebration of Paint Liberty Pink.

Local Realtor Kathy Villafane started the effort on behalf of her late sister Brenda Norris to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Her sister said she wanted to move to Liberty County.

“God had other plans,” Villafane said.

Thursday marked the seventh Paint Liberty Pink event, and it’s been six years since Norris passed away.

“It just keeps growing and getting stronger,” Villafane said. “By this movement, because that’s what it has turned into, it is so wonderful to see everyone wearing pink. I never wanted to be in this position, but I turned my pain into a purpose. My sister is here. She is here in spirit. I say her name all the time. She is probably tickled pink about what is going on.”

Villafane also thanked the community for its support of breast cancer awareness and Paint Liberty Pink.

“Hinesville, we are a special community,” she said. “Whenever there is a need or there is something that is good that is going to help the citizens, we are there to support. And I just want to say thank you to each and every one of you.”

Villafane also encouraged the community to get mammograms. The American Cancer Society stresses regular screening for breast cancer, because some women with breast cancer do not show any symptoms.

Aside from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer found in women, according to the American Cancer Society. Nearly 317,000 cases will be diagnosed this year, and more than 42,000 women will die from breast cancer, the ACS predicts.

“I want people to be more aware,” Villafane said. “Get your mammograms because early detection is key.”