The town of Westport marked the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month Thursday by raising the Pink Aid flag at Jessup Green.

Pink Aid is a nonprofit that gives underserved breast cancer patients financial resources and compassionate care.

"I am a two-time breast cancer survivor," explained Amy Katz, chairman and co-founder of Pink Aid. "Going through treatment and knowing how costly it was, I could not imagine how somebody can go through this who doesn't have the financial means."

The organization was founded in Westport in 2011 to alleviate economic and emotional stress during what's already a difficult time.

"The goal is that no patient goes through this alone, and no patient should have to decide between life-saving treatment and putting food on the table," Katz told News 12.

Over the past 15 years, Pink Aid has expanded from a local effort to a national one and given out more than $16 million.

Westport First Selectman Kevin Christie read a proclamation ahead of the flag-raising.

Katz called it emotional to see the nonprofit's flag raised on Oct. 1.

"I think one of the magical things about Pink Aid is having a community behind you. That means that everybody comes out, everybody rallies, everybody supports us," Katz said. This community we live in is just fantastic."

Katz said businesses and vendors throughout town are donating a portion of their proceeds this month to Pink Aid.

Click here to learn more about the organization.