If you’ve managed to step away from your cubicle in Gelman for just a minute, you have probably noticed that “pink” is everywhere! Even the White House was lit pink on October 3rd to remind everyone that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The White House was lit pink in support of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Celebrities and athletes have been contributing to the cause and have become involved in countless promotions for this important campaign. Jennifer Aniston has lent her support by visiting a new cancer center outside of Washington where she listened to breast cancer survivors’ stories. Aniston also recently held a screening of the Lifetime movie “Five” an anthology of five short stories about the effect of breast cancer, one of which Aniston directed.
If you’ve been keeping up with the football season, you might notice that the NFL and its players have been sporting pink during their games on the field, as well as on the sidelines. The NFL will continue “thinking pink” through October for their “Crucial Catch Campaign,” so if you haven’t seen a game yet you still have time. In partnership with the American Cancer Society, the NFL will also be auctioning off memorabilia to raise money for breast cancer research.
Fans who plan to attend the Redskins’ October 16th game will have the chance to visit the on site GW “Mammovan” thanks to the Redskin’s partnership with GW Medical Faculty Associates. The “Mammovan” will be open for fans to tour before kickoff and through the first quarter of the game. The “Mammovan” will educate fans on the important role mammograms play in catching breast cancer early.
And now, it’s time for students to contribute, especially since Washington DC has the highest breast cancer death rates in the country. This makes the campaign to raise breast cancer awareness all the more important.
Here are some ways you can get involved:
1. “Take a Bite out of Breast Cancer.” Through this organization many restaurants, here in Washington DC are generously donating a portion of their profit on certain days of the month to breast cancer education and outreach. To see the full schedule of restaurants participating click here: http://pinkjams.org/index.php/takeabite/28
2. “Yoga On the Steps.” On Sunday, October 16 you can join hundreds of people doing yoga on the steps of Freedom Plaza in support of breast cancer. Proceeds go to “Living Beyond Breast Cancer”. Click here to get more information and to sign up! http://www.lbbc.org/Events/Yoga-Event/2011-10-16-Yoga-on-the-Steps-Washington-DC
3. Buy products that support breast cancer at your local stores. This can range from Yoplait Yogurt to Essie’s nail polish color “Raise Awareness.” Every dollar counts!
4. Find a breast cancer organization and donate! Here are two organizations to get you started:
http://ww5.komen.org/
http://www.sharsheret.org/
There are an estimated three million women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer; that’s three million mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, daughters, and friends all fighting this disease. Not to mention, the thousands of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. If more women of all ages were to do regular self-breast exams, and get mammogram screenings, thousands of lives would be saved. Breast Cancer Awareness month marks October as a time to reflect on those who have won or lost the battle against breast cancer, and most importantly to raise awareness in hopes of making early diagnoses and finding a future cure.
Photo Credit: http://photoblog.