Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Celebrations

Think pink? It might be because it’s that time of year. Pink chocolate. Pink bagels. Pink hair weaves. Pink sheets. Pink stilettos. And, of course, a boatload of pink ribbons.

Peekskill’s firefighters are thinking pink. And will be wearing pink too, in an effort to support awareness of breast cancer. Instead of their regular navy blue polo shirts, members of the Peekskill Professional Firefighters Local 2343 will be wearing pink polos all month. They are also selling pink t-shirts to help promote awareness and will donate all proceeds to the for breast cancer research and treatment. The t-shirts are $20 each and will be available for purchase at the at 15 N. Division Street.

“We as a union, understand the potential for this disease to affect each of our families if it hasn’t already,” said Patrick MacLennan, Campaign Coordinator
for Local 2343.

“Any time you can raise public awareness for something that touches so many people it is a good thing to do,” said Greg Manfredi, Vice President of the Local, whos mother is a seven-year breast cancer survivor.

Like the Peekskill firefighter’s union, many businesses in New York and national-wide are celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month with the color pink.

New York restaurant owners are thinking pink and serving it up, too. “Be an epiCUREan” is a campaign to help raise money. Participating restaurants will identify a “pink” item on their menus and whenever that item is ordered, the breast cancer piggy bank gets money (through October).

Washington, DC, is having a similar dining program called Take a Bite out of Breast Cancer.

NASCAR wasn’t going to take a backseat to joining the cause. NASCAR painted a pace car pink and put a pink ribbon on it. They vowed to donate money for every lap the pace car had to take on the track. In September, one of the races was rained out and the laps of the pace car piled up.

“We are thrilled when a company decides to paint its building pink or when they allow women to take time off work for a mammogram or encourage them to get more information about breast cancer,” said Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer for the American Cancer Society.

“I want women to know the facts so we can end this once and for all,” she said. Music lost her mother to breast cancer and said early detection may have saved her.

Hanes® has been a long-time partner with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and added a comfort package on Facebook this year. It’s a customizable kit including a T-shirt meant to be given as a gift. Hanes will give a portion of profits to the cause.

“Comfort is more than just physical; it’s emotional, too,” said Sidney Falken, chief branding officer of Hanes. “We are proud to be partners with NBCF (National Breast Cancer Foundation) to help raise awareness of breast cancer and support a cause the Hanes consumer cares so deeply about.”

Land O’Lakes Purina Feed out of Pennsylvania put together 50 events aimed at educating women living in rural areas about breast cancer. They kicked off their Pink 50 with a Dash for Hope in Grantville, PA, at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Certain lines of animal food packages were turned pink for the season. “We wanted to put emphasis on women taking care of themselves,” said Anita Hood, equine specialist with the company.

Maryland-based energy company, Sharp Energy, Inc., introduced a pink delivery truck. But that’s not all they deliver: Their customers also get information on breast cancer.

Estée Lauder continues to give support to the cause. “Together we are stronger. Together we can do more. Together we can find a cure,” Evelyn Lauder has said.
Macy’s and Panera Bread (some locations including Pittsburgh) also got in on the pink-ribbon action. Macy’s has chocolates and stuffed animals, and Panera is baking pink ribbon bagels during October, both to benefit breast cancer awareness.

Local Pink Celebrations:

-Cortlandt Cowboys Youth Football & Cheer Association’s cheerleaders are wearing pink bows and using pink pom poms this month and the football players are sporting pink ribbons on their helmets.

-As mentioned above, the Peekskill Firefighter Association Local 2343 will be wearing sporty pink polo shirts this month and they are selling similar pink shirts for people to purchase for $20, available at the.  All proceeds will go to the Hudson Valley Hospital Center to support breast cancer research and treatment. Email PMACLENNAN@CITYOFPEEKSKILL.COM for more information.

-The New York skyline is lit up with more than 40 buildings as part of the City in Pink. On Sept. 20, Estée Lauder spokeswoman Elizabeth Hurley flipped the switch and turned the Empire State Building pink.

-Click here to see other Breast Cancer Awareness events happening this weekend and throughout the month.

Have photos of your pink? Add them to this article by clicking “Add photos and videos” underneath the photos of our men in pink above.

If you are going to the Support Connection Walk-a-Thon on Sunday, take a photo of your group and add it to this article or email me at Elizabeth.giegerich@patch.com.

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