Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events in Johnston

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in Johnston and beyond:

Saturday, Oct. 13: 2012 Trek Breast Cancer Awareness Ride

Join Bike Iowa in West Des Moines on Oct. 13 for an annual ride to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment and to help fund a cure.

The event starts at 10 a.m. at 5950 Village View Dr. in West Des Moines. This will be a fun, family-friendly ride complete with prizes, refreshments and goodie bags.

Registration cost is $25. Check the event's website for more registration information.

Tuesday, Oct. 16: Dig Pink/Spike Blue 2012 Volleyball Event
The Johnston Dragon volleyball team will once again host a the Dig Pink/Spike Blue event to raise money for the Side-Out Foundation and American Cancer Society to help fight the battle against breast and colon cancer. Read about last year's event.

As always, there will be door prizes, a bake sale, a raffle, and other merchandise for sale.

Saturday, Oct. 27: Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure Des Moines

The Iowa Race for the Cure is scheduled for Oct. 27 at the State Capitol Grounds in Des Moines. Registration can be made here.

All Month: Shop at Complete Nutrition, Donate to Breast Cancer Research

Complete Nutrition, a retailer with locations in Ankeny, Ames and West Des Moines, has partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation for the month of October.

All three stores will collect donations from its customers this month on behalf of the NBCF, all of which will go directly to the organization to fund mammogram and educational programs.

As an incentive to donate, Complete Nutrition will give customers store credit equal to their donation up to $50.

There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure.

Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise and it’s a twofer — retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects millions.

You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The agency has raised $75 million so far for research programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

The American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is organized nationwide and so far more than 8 million people have walked for this cause and raised about $460 million.

And you can join people from four continents in a Race for the Cure event organized by Susan G. Komen For The Cure, or an Avon Walk For Breast Cancer event organized by the Avon Foundation for Women.

TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.