Events Raising Breast Cancer Awareness in October

The White House got a pink glow in Washington, DC. People painted their pumpkins pink in Calvert, MD, and women donated art made of bras in Orange City, FL. In Pennsylvania, first lady Susan Corbett turned the fountain pink in Harrisburg. And they did it all last year in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This October promises to bring even more colorful and thoughtful events and opportunities.

“Clearly, every person who brings attention to the cause is fantastic,” said Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer for the American Cancer Society.

Groups of women are getting together and survivors are reaching out to each other on social networks. Children are helping out, too, by pitching tents and filling water bottles at fundraisers in Tampa and serving pink lemonade from homemade stands in Philadelphia. Neighbors in Little Neck, NY, gather for a block party.

Men are participating, too, and in Connecticut, they are hosting a dance—no ties needed! In Virginia, men’s soccer and volleyball teams suit up in pink for special games.

There are hundreds of breast cancer awareness walks and runs around the country, plus marathons and a plethora of exercise-related events. Then there are the tea parties, luncheons, golf tournaments, masquerade balls, art shows, motorcross and motorcycle rides and concerts.

A Winter Park, FL, hospital is raising money for the cause by selling pink plastic flamingos, which are popping up in yards all over town. An exhibit in Illinois is spotlighting survivors and family members through visual art.

And, of course, let’s not forget the high heel races going on around the world in support of breast cancer awareness, like the Stiletto Stampede for the Cure in Houston.

• Wine Tasting with the Pink Park Rangers – Rockledge - Sept. 26-29 Contact Lee Lowerre 321-432-2671
• Winter Park’s Pink Out – Winter Park – through October – www.winterparkhospital.com
• Women Who Jam! Save the Twinz: Live PINK! Fort Lauderdale – Oct. 1 www.womenwhojam.com
• Pink Ribbon Golf Classic – Ponte Vedra – Oct. 7 Contact Damara Merten 904-571-5563
• All American Ride for the Tatas – Winter Haven – Oct. 8 www.lets.ride.com
• Thunder Angels 7th Annual Tickled Pink BCA Poker Run – Panama City – Oct. 8 www.thunder-angels.org
• Shades of Pink Masquerade Ball  – Sunny Isles Beach – Oct. 25 www.floridabreastcancer.org
• Pink Army 5K Run for Breast Cancer Awareness – Palm Coast - Oct. 27 www.palmcoastgov.com
• True Heart Masquerade Ball to Benefit Breast Cancer – Orlando – Oct. 29  www.truealum.com  www.FloridaBreastCancer.org

Are you a survivor? Do you have a story to share? Patch wants to give you a place to inspire and encourage each other. Send us your photos of those 5ks, pink parties, dog walks and luncheons. Heading to get a mammogram with your friend, sister, coworker or daughter? Snap a photo before you go, and send it our way!