End of first quarter. Food for Thought kickoff. Presidential debates. Halloween. Event after event fills the October calendar, but as a whole this month commemorates an even bigger cause.
And it’s all about the Pink. The color of princess tutus, cotton candy, Valentine hearts. And the color devoted to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
During October, senior Shannon Laird says she is always sure to wear her pink ribbon in honor of her mother. Laird’s mother suffered from Breast Cancer when Laird was three, but has since beaten the disease. Laird says her entire family wears the little pink ribbons to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month. They also participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure every year.
“I think it is important for girls to be aware of breast cancer and support those who are suffering and have suffered from the disease,” Laird said.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the foundation that organizes the race Laird and her family participate in, is a global leader of the breast cancer movement and is dedicated to saving lives and ending breast cancer forever. The foundation’s goals are to empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cure, according to komenkansascity.org.
A representative from SGK of the Greater Kansas City Area says Breast Cancer Awareness month is a chance for SGK to take advantage of having the spotlight on breast cancer and promote what their organization does all year.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to remind everyone of breast health awareness,” the representative said.
SGK sees Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a celebration for those who have beat breast cancer, a public service announcement for awareness, and as a remembrance for those who have lost his or her battle to breast cancer, according to the representative.
However, Laird is not the only one in our community who commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pam Dykes, french teacher, has had her own struggles with Breast Cancer.
Dykes is a breast cancer survivor, but said she chooses to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month more privately. Dykes said she participates in Breast Cancer Awareness month with the people she knows.
“I don’t do any of the walks or wear any of the pink things, or any of that,” Dykes said. “But, I do participate with the people I know who have breast cancer. I make a special effort to send a note, sometimes make cupcakes, or something like that.”
Not only does Dykes promote awareness through helping others, she also says she frequently visits the doctor and keeps up with her medicine. Dykes says that breast cancer has also made her appreciate certain things more.
“[Breast Cancer] has made me appreciate good health, my friends, my family and my Sion family,” Dykes said. “It has made me more aware of how important it is to live life.”