The weather has finally turned, and fall has arrived. It brings with it breezy weather, trips to pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treating. People traditionally associate this time of year with oranges, yellows, and reds — but October is all about pink. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness month. A month dedicated to honoring those who have been and could be affected by breast cancer.
It began in 1985, when the two organizations American Cancer Society and the Imperial Chemical Industries, partnered together for a week-long campaign in hopes of bringing awareness to breast cancer. Betty Ford, also known as the first lady during Gerald Ford’s presidency, worked in collaboration with these companies to kick off the campaign. As a result of their work, breast cancer awareness rose across the nation. Women were informed about how they could get treatment and signs to look out for. The originally week-long campaign extended to the whole month of October. Since then, the resources to treat breast cancer have advanced, and according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, this change in medicine has dropped the breast cancer death rates in the US by 44 percent since 1989.
A common way to show support to the cause has been wearing pink ribbons. The Susan G. Komen foundation has consistently used pink for the campaign for years. However, the ribbons began back in 1991, when Charlotte Haley handmade peach ribbons as a way to raise awareness about the lack of funding for breast cancer research. Later in 1992, Self magazine and Estée Lauder worked together to connect the idea of a pink ribbon with breast cancer awareness.
This year, many of Walkersville’s sports teams showed support by wearing pink in October, along with the WHS Fearless Females who set up PINK OUT SPIRIT DAYS on the 23rd and 30th. There are also cancer survivors like Kelley Cardy, who proudly displayed their cancer ribbons all month. The color pink represents hope, strength, and compassion.
On October 19th, Key Club members, in addition to Mrs. Carbone and Mrs. Harris, participated in the Making Strides Breast Cancer walk. This annual event is a movement that unites everyone to save lives from breast cancer. For this year’s fundraiser, Key Club worked with the Kiwanis of Mt. Airy to raise over $300 in funds for breast cancer research. Mrs. Carbone describes this event as one of her favorites, she says, “It’s a way for Key Club members to give back to the community and see how their donations affect and support real people who are impacted by breast cancer.”
Statistics listed by the National Breast Cancer Foundation state that breast cancer is the most common in American women, and approximately 13 percent of the US female population will experience it in their life. It is also listed by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation that “about one in 726 men will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.” It’s important that with how this sickness affects lives, both physically and emotionally, that we continue to educate others and expand our resources.
On the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s website, you have the opportunity to donate. These donations and any other financial support, such as fundraising, allows this organization to provide free mammograms, screenings, and supplies that help those in need. In fact, many women have been diagnosed and detected early for breast cancer with these resources. We should continue this movement and participate in the fight against breast cancer.
