Put on Your Pink Bra and Fight Breast Cancer

Thousands of Pinellas County residents, breast cancer survivors, business and community members will join together and put on their pink bras at the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk to fight breast cancer and provide hope to all people facing the disease.

This noncompetitive, fundraising event will unite the community in celebrating breast cancer survivors, educate men and women about the importance of early detection and prevention, and raise money to fund lifesaving research and support programs that will further the progress against this disease.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Vinoy Park, which is located at 701 North Bay Shore Drive NE. Registration will open at 8 a.m. and the walk will begin at 9 a.m.

Participants will need more than sneakers for this year’s walk, as they are encouraged to “Put On Your Pink Bra.” The “Put On Your Pink Bra” campaign empowers walkers to wear pink bras in support of the fight against breast cancer.

All across the state, walkers will sport pink bras to represent a personal breast cancer journey or the journey of a survivor they know.

“When you ‘Put On Your Pink Bra,’ you are symbolizing the personal nature of the fight against breast cancer,” said Event Chairperson Rhonda Shear. “Participants decorate, bedazzle and bejewel pink bras that tell their individual stories. The range of bras donning lace, glitter, flowers, feathers, jewels and other embellishments is as unique as each Floridian’s battle with this disease.”

This year’s inaugural “Put On Your Pink Bra” campaign is a part of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program.  Money raised through these events funds breast cancer research, provides up-to-date breast cancer information, ensures everyone has access to breast cancer screening and treatments – regardless of income – and provides services that improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

“Almost everyone has been touched by breast cancer in some way,” said American Cancer Society Area Executive Director Kim Stazcek. “Florida ranks third in the nation for the number of new breast cancer cases and the number of related deaths. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer celebrates those who have survived and helps ensure future generations of Floridians do not face this life-threatening disease alone. Making Strides truly demonstrates that hope starts with each and every one of us, right in our hometown.”

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk supports the American Cancer Society’s unique mission to fight cancer on all four fronts: research, education, advocacy and patient services. Over time, the Society has invested more in breast cancer research than any other voluntary public health organization. Since 1972, it has invested nearly $323 million in breast cancer research grants, resulting in many of today’s breast cancer treatments.

Media partners Sponsor for the 2011 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in Pinellas County are 10 News, Magic 94.9 and the St. Petersburg Times. Additionally, hundreds of teams from businesses, schools, and community groups will participate.  

For more information or to sign up for the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Pinellas County, please call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.putonyourpinkbra.com.