Ethel Precht, who founded one of the area’s most popular fundraising events, died Tuesday of complications due to diabetes.

Precht, a breast cancer survivor, founded a fundraising run/walk in the mid-2000s after attending a national walk. The event steadily grew in popularity and will mark its 13th year in October.

The event, the Ethel Precht HOPE Breast Cancer Walk, benefits people in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes who are undergoing breast cancer treatment.

“Close to 700 survivors have had their quality of life enriched through the charity efforts of a true champion and humble servant,” said Lisa Guerrero, a spokeswoman for Lake Area Medical Center.