American Businesses Mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Think pink? It might be because it’s that time of year. Pink chocolate. Pink bagels. Pink hair weaves. Pink sheets. Pink stilettos. And, of course, a boatload of pink ribbons.

Many businesses are in on the fight for the cure. Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa, FL, is offering a “Get into Bed PINKTOBER.” Sign up before Oct. 22 for a “pink sheet” room complete with a pink robe.

The in the will be creating a "Window of Love." The salon invites customers to write a story about someone they know who was had breast cancer and how it affected their lives. The stories will be posted on the storefront's windows. Participants will receive 10 percent off their purchases. The story collection begins on Oct. 4 and will continue throughout the month.

, located in Towson, are doing a "Paint the Shops Pink" promotion where stores are offering special savings in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Deals include a $10 donation for pink hair strands at and 10 percent off all pink merchandise at Kashmir.

In Timonium, invites bowlers to join their new Breast Cancer Awareness League. A portion of the league's weekly fees will benefit

New York restaurant owners are thinking pink and serving it up, too. “Be an epiCUREan” is a campaign to help raise money. Participating restaurants will identify a “pink” item on their menus and whenever that item is ordered, the breast cancer piggy bank gets money (through October). Washington, DC, is having a similar dining program called Take a Bite out of Breast Cancer.

NASCAR wasn’t going to take a backseat to joining the cause. NASCAR painted a pace car pink and put a pink ribbon on it. They vowed to donate money for every lap the pace car had to take on the track. In September, one of the races was rained out and the laps of the pace car piled up.

“We are thrilled when a company decides to paint its building pink or when they allow women to take time off work for a mammogram or encourage them to get more information about breast cancer,” said Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer for the American Cancer Society.

“I want women to know the facts so we can end this once and for all,” she said. Music lost her mother to breast cancer and said early detection may have saved her.

Hanes® has been a long-time partner with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and added a comfort package on Facebook this year. It’s a customizable kit including a T-shirt meant to be given as a gift. Hanes will give a portion of profits to the cause.

“Comfort is more than just physical; it’s emotional, too,” said Sidney Falken, chief branding officer of Hanes. “We are proud to be partners with NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation) to help raise awareness of breast cancer and support a cause the Hanes consumer cares so deeply about.”

Land O’Lakes Purina Feed out of Pennsylvania put together 50 events aimed at educating women living in rural areas about breast cancer. They kicked off their Pink 50 with a Dash for Hope in Grantville, PA, at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Certain lines of animal food packages were turned pink for the season. “We wanted to put emphasis on women taking care of themselves,” said Anita Hood, equine specialist with the company.

Maryland-based energy company, Sharp Energy, Inc., introduced a pink delivery truck. But that’s not all they deliver: Their customers also get information on breast cancer.

Estée Lauder continues to give support to the cause. “Together we are stronger. Together we can do more. Together we can find a cure,” Evelyn Lauder has said.

Macy’s and Panera Bread (some locations including Pittsburgh) also got in on the pink-ribbon action. Macy’s has chocolates and stuffed animals, and Panera is baking pink ribbon bagels during October, both to benefit breast cancer awareness.

Maryland landmarks that go pink include the capital building, City Hall in Baltimore City, in Harford County and fire stations throughout Howard County.

“Baltimore joined people around the nation in solidarity as we work together to make this a world without breast cancer,” Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said.