For the past 30 years, October has been home to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which strives to help raise awareness for the disease, support breast cancer patients, and helps to raise money for breast cancer research. While you might not have been affected by the disease, you may know or have heard of someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Whether it was a friend or a celebrity such as Christian Applegate, who underwent a double mastectomy in 2008 to remove the cancer, it seems that the disease is pertinent in our lives by some way or another.
Other celebrities such as Reese Witherpspoon, have not personally battled the disease, but have battled to raise awareness and research fundraising for breast cancer. In October of 2011, Witherspoon recognized Breast Cancer Awareness Month, when she launched a novel Avon Foundation for Women, at the Global Breast Cancer Congress in New York. The program is aimed at funding global breast cancer scholarships for breast cancer specialists and researchers outside of the U.S. The program will help these international specialists in receiving state-of-the-art training in breast cancer centers in the U.S. The new foundation also helps to fund the Avon Breast Cancer walk. According to the avonfoundation.org website, Witherspoon also “presented more than $9.1 million in grants to New York-area breast cancer programs.”
Witherspoon also joined in on the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and walked along the route, according to a PR Newswire from Bloomberg.com. During the closing ceremony of the event, Witherspoon said of the Avon Walk, “I’m absolutely amazed at what you all just did…Walking all those miles, raising all that money and sleeping in those cool pink tents! All of you came here this weekend to make sure there are more survivors in our world, and the money you raised and the awareness you spread will help save lives.”
In order to join the fight against breast cancer, San Francisco is conducting various events throughout the month of October, making it easy for anyone to help raise awareness, educate one another, fundraise for research and celebrate cancer survivors.
The 49ers recently held their Salute to Strength Event at their SAP Performance Facility. The event honoured individuals and their friends and family who beat the fight against cancer. It was a day filled with spa treatments and coating the SAP facility in as much pink as possible.
Every attendee was given a goodie bag filled with pamper products and offered free manicures, massages and make-overs.
One woman, Betty Jo (above on the right), remarked that “[the] day had been fabulous, the 49ers will never know how special they’ve made me feel today.” Betty Jo is a four time survivor of cancer and is the head coach, Jim Tomsula, very own mother.
The LuLu Sessions, a documentary film about a 42-year-old cancer researcher who learns that she’s dying of breast cancer is being shown on October 17th, at 6:30-9 p.m. at Dolby Labs on 100, Potrero Ave. The film discusses Dr. Louise Nutter’s 15- month battle with breast cancer and how it affected her friends and family. After the screening of the film, there will be a panel discussion with the filmmaker, S. Casper Wong. Wong is a New York filmmaker, cancer survivor and a medical professional according to an article from, sanfrancisco.about.com by Barbara Koh. According to Koh’s article, the co-sponsors for the October 17th screening include, the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, Bay Area Women in Film and Media, San Francisco General Hospital’s Avon Breast Care Program and the Shanti Project.
Another event this October that is going on to raise breast cancer awareness and research funds is a silent and live auction called, “This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse.” This event is being held on October 18 from 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the Saint Regis Hotel, on 125 Third St. This live auction allows you to shop and bid for beautiful designer handbags from Chanel, Dolce & Gabana, Coach, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Versace, and Stella McCartney. The event will also have food, cocktails and a DJ. All of the proceeds from the auction sales will go to the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, which helps low-income patients with their breast cancer treatment.
Lastly, a non-competitive walk is being organized by the American Cancer Society, according to Koh’s article. The event is called, “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer”, and is on October 26th, from 8-10 a.m. The walk is a 5-mile walk that loops around Golden Gate Park. Before the walk commences, there will be a warm-up event and dance performances, along with kid friendly activities, and a chance to buy gifts for breast cancer survivors and fundraisers. The event will take place at Speedway Meadow, also known as, Hellman Hollow in Golden Gate Park, at 25th Street and Fulton. However, there is another way to help raise awareness for the disease, and it is to simply educate your self. Women can get breast cancer at any age, whether it’s 13, 20 or 50. Take preventative health seriously; make annual appointments with a gynecologist to get a check up. Most importantly, if you are ever in doubt about your health go to the doctors just to be safe. Here at SF State, the Student Health Center is available for routine visits, which include inquiries about women’s health.
With the 49ers being such a huge influence and voice in the community their support of such an incredible cause is tremendous. It helps spread the reminder to get yearly mammograms when over the age of forty and to always be aware of changes in your body. If you suspect that anything is wrong don’t hesitate going to get a check-up because one check-up could very well save your life.
If you want more information about the events listed in this article go to: http://sanfrancisco.about.com/od/sfevents/fl/Breast-Cancer-Awareness-Events-in-San-Francisco.htm.
If you want more information about the services provided by the Student Health Center here at SF State go to: http://health.sfsu.edu/.
If you want more information about breast cancer and preventative health go to: http://ww5.komen.org/.