In October We Wear Pink

Alicia McdowellePathfinderNews

In October We Wear Pink

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness month

October is not just known for football games and Halloween. Breast Cancer Awareness Month also lands in October. It is an important time of the month where communities can come together to show support for those fighting breast cancer. Although when most people think of breast cancer, they automatically think of women having it, it is a major thing to note that men can also get this. Women are at a higher risk of having breast cancer though, with it being 100 times more likely to receive this diagnosis as a woman. It is worth specifying that breast cancer is the second leading cause of passing among women, after heart disease.

On October 13th, many activities are organized to support breast cancer awareness, such as fundraisers, parties with a pink dress code, donation drives, and awareness speeches. Students anywhere can show their support by wearing pink ribbons or clothing and by volunteering at these events to help raise awareness for this important cause.

“At Deerfield Beach High School both students and staff unite by wearing pink,” said DBHS sophomore Kyalah Buddington.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month was established in October 1985 by the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries. It was created to help educate people about breast cancer, to highly suggest everyone get checked regularly, and to show support for those with the condition. In the early 1990s, breast cancer survivor Charlotte Haley was the first person to wear a pink ribbon, a symbol that has become widely associated with breast cancer awareness. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of organizations like the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the pink ribbon has appeared as a universal symbol of breast cancer awareness. The pink ribbons symbolize our respect for individuals who have overcome illness and remember those who have lost their lives. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private fund. Evelyn Lauder, the founder of BCRF contributes a part of sales revenue and organizes fundraising events—Evelyn’s contributes $5 million to help breast cancer research.

Breast cancer awareness is something important to stay educated on, as it is a common condition that kills people worldwide. By staying educated on this topic, it’s more likely someone will catch it in the early stages if that is their situation. Not only that, but the whole month shows those that have won their battle with cancer, are currently fighting it or have tragically lost that everyone supports them in their experiences.


Written by Alicia Mcdowell | Graphic Designed by  Alicia Mcdowell