Best Ways To Get Involved With Breast Cancer Awareness Month In Detroit
If you're a woman who is 40 years old or older, it's very important to get a mammogram (an X-ray picture of the breast) to check/screen for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that you go for your first "baseline" mammogram at age 40; after that, a yearly mammogram is ideal. If you're at higher risk for breast cancer, however (ie, if a relative has or had breast cancer), then you should get a mammogram earlier than age 40, and more frequently.
You can approach high school and college sorts teams in the Detroit area, and set up "pink out" games with them. This works with the players wearing pink, and you passing out ribbons and some breast cancer prevention/detection educational materials. Some schools might even donate a portion of ticket sales, or accept donations, for a breast cancer awareness or research organization. The NFL is actually doing this all throughout October (learn more here), including its "A Crucial Catch Day" on October 25th, when the NFL teams up with health system partners to provide breast cancer education and free/low-cost screenings, usually within "underserved communities."
1 Hart Plaza
Detroit, MI 48226
makingstrides.acsevents.org
The "Making Strides" walk/event is currently taking applications for volunteers, and there are many going on throughout Michigan this month, most of which are on Oct. 10th or Oct. 25th. In the metro area, locations include St. Clair Community College, Flint, Clinton Township Civic Center, Rochester Municipal Park, and Washtenaw Community College (Ann Arbor). The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks are the "largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation," with almost 300 communities taking part, and they are sponsored by the American Cancer Society.
19 Steve Yzerman Drive
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 471-7444
redwings.nhl.com
Friday, Oct. 16
Since October 2007, the Red Wings have chosen one home game per year to raise awareness for breast cancer, as part of the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month. Red Wings players use pink tape on their sticks during warmups, and some of the sticks are autographed and available as part of a silent auction on the Joe Louis concourse during the first two periods of the game. The Red Wings players' significant others also host a "puck draw," with the winner being able to meet a "select player" after the game. Last year's game raised more than $50,000 for the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The 2015 game will take place on Friday, October 16th.
(586) 977-7525
www.freepmarathon.com
Oct 17-18
The Detroit Free Press/Talmer Bank Marathon will take place October 17-18; other options include its half-marathon, relay, 5K and Kids Fun Run, too. Choose to raise money for an organization that works for breast cancer awareness and/or research, such as Gilda's Club Metro Detroit; on its website, you can see how to create an online fundraising page using CrowdRise.com. Gilda's Club is a three-story, non-residential house in Royal Oak, which opened in January 1998. The club provides a "social and emotional support program for men, women, teens and children living with cancer, as well as their families and friends" at no cost; these include support groups, education lectures, workshops (yoga, etc.) and more.
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