Supporters everywhere go pink

Nicole Roberson

News Reporter

This month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While some people spend their October weekends attending football games, raking leaves or doing other fall activities, other people are dedicating time to the fight against breast cancer.

Areas such as Bay County, Fla., Providence, R.I., and Salt Lake City, Utah are hosting breast cancer walks to raise awareness and collect donations.

Large organizations such as the NFL are supporting breast cancer awareness by wearing pink cleats, using pink towels and even going so far as to use pink coins for the coin toss. The NFL Shop website allows fans to purchase various gear in pink to show their support.

Comparable to last January, in which female Facebook users posted the color of their bras, this month users have been posting about their purses by stating, "I like it on…" Such statuses are intended to honor this awareness. Despite the fact that these users are not necessarily donating or participating in walks, their statuses have gained attention and gone viral.

On a more local level, Fargo high school students have been donning pink breast cancer awareness shirts at volleyball games. As recent articles in The Forum have stated, shirts sporting the quote, "Dig for the Cure," (in reference to volleyball) have been sold to students and adults prior to these games, with proceeds going to research organizations.

Why support breast cancer awareness? Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society report that about 207,090 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States in 2010. Of these new cases, approximately 46 will be fatal. Furthermore, breast cancer is not just limited to women; men can get it too, even if it is less common.

Those who wish to help further research for breast cancer may purchase products from sponsors of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, such as Yoplait. Yoplait works with this cause by donating 10 cents for every pink yogurt lid that is sent in by consumers.

An additional way to help support breast cancer awareness is to access the Komen website, www.komen.org and sign up for "race for the cure," a program that takes place in many states. The site also lists many other events for supporters to participate in.

Another sponsor of Komen, Wacoal, is working with department stores and donating $2 for each Awareness or Embrace Lace bra sold. Such an event is taking place in the West Acres Macy's from Oct. 3-16.

Websites such as www.thebreastcancersite.com allow viewers to click a button that will then have sponsors pay for mammograms. Many of these sites also sell breast cancer-related apparel and keepsakes, as well as accept donations.