Community Corner
Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events in Virginia and D.C.
Here's how you can participate, pledge support and donate to the cause in Fairfax County and Northern Virginia.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in Fairfax County and beyond:
Local Walks and Runs
Hundreds of area residents will be walking in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk in Washington on Oct. 12 - 14. Registration will open later this fall for next year's walk (scheduled for Oct. 11 - 13, 2013).
Find out what's happening in Annandalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Registration is still available for Alexandria's 19th Annual Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. The event is from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Oct. 20. The event includes options for a 1.5K, 3.5K or 5K walk or run. Registration is available through www.alexcancerwalk.com.
Looking ahead: The annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, D.C. will be in May 2013.
Find out what's happening in Annandalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Other Events and Awareness Initiatives
PSCharities will host its Fourth Annual Caribbean Casino Night & Silent Auction on Oct. 20, benefitting George Washington University’s MFA Breast Care Center
and the Katzen Cancer Center. The event takes place from 7-11 p.m. at GWU’s City View Room in the District. Tickets cost $80 and can be purchased at www.pscharities.org.
Bloomers in Alexandria and Arlington is hosting a bra recycling drive and will be making a related donation to Susan G. Komen Foundation. Belle Mode Intimates at Fairfax Corner Shopping Center also has a bra drive though Oct. 21 — you will get a coupon for a free Pinkberry yogurt and a VIP shopping pass.
There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting statewide and national organizations that are fighting for a cure.
The Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation is recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month with several events throughout the state, including a Zumba event in Woodbridge on Saturday, Oct. 6 with Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.
Also, a portion of proceeds from the pink ribbon Virginia state breast cancer awareness license plates benefit VBCF.
You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The agency has raised $75 million so far for research programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
And, the American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is organized nationwide and so far more than 8 million people have walked for this cause and raised about $460 million.
TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.
