Pink-Themed Events Highlight Breast Cancer Locally and Nationally

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 Healing in Heels Dash for Breast Cancer in Annapolis.

Check out some of these Breast Cancer Awareness Month events close to home:

• Take a Bite out of Breast Cancer: Washington, DC area restaurants. Locally, Tony Marciante of will be donating 10 percent of lunch and dinner sales to breast cancer research every Wednesday during the month of October. Additionally, breast cancer survivor Carole Robert of will donate 10 percent of dinner service every evening during October.
• Party In Pink: Oct. 1,
• Living With Breast Cancer Symposium: Oct. 1,
• Pink Fling: Oct. 2, Hampstead, MD.
• Healing in Heels: Oct. 9, Annapolis, MD
• Yoga on the Steps: Oct. 16, Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC

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!

If you know of more awareness events going on around town, tell us in the comments section and upload to our events calendar.