Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Many Southwest Florida organizations, including at least one Beach church, are expected to be involved in this year’s local events for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Statistics show women have a one in seven chances of developing breast cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among American women. Contributing factors to this disease include age, obesity, genetics and family history.
Research shows mammograms are still regarded as the best available method for detecting breast changes. Regular screenings are a woman’s best bet for early detection which improves the odds for survival from breast cancer.
Chapel by the Sea at 100 Chapel St. is among nearly 600 churches and synagogues in Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties participating in “Pink Weekend ’09,” a grassroots outreach effort on Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25, to help address the occurrence of breast cancer locally.
“We have been promoting it and are asking people to wear pink during Sunday services,” said Sheila Morales, parish nurse for Chapel by the Sea. “Ushers will be passing out packets of information to all women who attend. The packets were provided by the Susan G. Komen Foundation and include information on breast cancer, breast cancer awareness and risk factors for breast cancer.”
Many churches in the third annual Pink Weekend event will also celebrate survivors that day in their congregations as well as honor those who have lost their battle. Participants are encouraged to wear pink on Pink Saturday or Sunday to commemorate the day.
Fish Tale Marina at 7225 Estero Blvd. has been selling clothing with the “save the ta-tas” logo and breast cancer ribbon for two years. Founder Julia Fikse began the company roughly five years ago selling t-shirts out of her garage in Illinois. A portion of the sales -more than $340,000 has been collected nationally- go to support breast cancer research and education.
Lee County residents will be walking in an event called “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” at Centennial Park on Saturday, Oct. 17. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the walk starts at 8:15 a.m. Booths and staging will be set up. Everyone is encouraged to participate or help the walkers get warmed up for the event. Breast Cancer survivors precede all other walkers; plenty of volunteers will offer help.
In 2008, roughly 600,000 walkers across the country, including more than 60,000 in Florida, joined the American Cancer Society in the united fight against breast cancer. More than $60 million was raised through Making Strides events and it was accomplished one donation at a time.
If you are unable to walk, you may choose to donate online. This year, the American Cancer Society has raised more than $42,000 through its Web site and social networking such as Facebook.
Text the word HOPE to 20222. A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your pre-paid balance. Donations are collected for the benefit of the American Cancer Society by the Mobile Giving Foundation.
The Pink Tie Blues event will be held Sunday, Oct. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center at 2301 First St. in downtown Fort Myers. The event will benefit Lee Memorial Health System’s Regional Cancer Center. Tickets are $75.
Even the United States Postal Service is in the mix. Stop by your local Post Office, go to usps.com or call 1-800-STAMP-24 to purchase the re-authorized Breast Cancer Research stamp. The stamps can be purchased for 55 cents (a regular 44-cent postage for first-class mail) and the 11-cent difference goes to breast cancer research.
Local Post Offices will also have special pink tree displays during the month. All sales clerks will have the stamps and circles available. Individuals purchasing a sheet of the stamps (20 stamps, $11) at any of these locations will be able to place the special circles on the tree or display there.
For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777.