As most of the students have seen, a pink “K” is displayed in the middle of both the KHS stadium field and field hockey field recognizing October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is just one example of how KHS is raising awareness for this widespread illness. KHS has also sold pink “Livestrong” bracelets with the word ‘strength’ on them during school sporting events to raise money for research.

On a bigger scale, there are countless other ways our nation has been helping to increase awareness of breast cancer. This week on the news, it was shown that the White House has turned their outdoor lights pink in order to honor breast cancer awareness month. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, part of the American Cancer Society, has partnered up with many corporate businesses and companies in order to raise funds for more research. These partners include Lowe’s, the NFL, Lee Denim, A.C. Moore, Ace Hardware, Ford, and H&M, just to name a few. These partners have donated thousands of dollars to help fund research of the disease by hosting walks, 5k’s, concerts, and other events. They also make the option of donating available. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has been doing their part in the search for a cure for many years: “Since 1993, more than 9 million walkers across the United States have raised more than $528 million to help fight breast cancer through Making Strides events. In 2012 alone, one million walkers across the country raised $68 million to help finish the fight against this disease.”

According to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, “While most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage them to do the same.” Although breast cancer is a well-known cancer, at times it does not receive the attention and help it deserves; therefore, that is the reason that there is one month during the year completely dedicated to making people more aware of the disease. But, instead of helping create awareness just during this one month of October, continue it throughout the year. It is crucial that people stay knowledgeable and aware of this disease in order to fight it effectively.

There are various ways that you can become involved in funding for research of breast cancer to help prevent, treat, and find a cure. Your donations can save lives. You can go to either of these two websites in order to learn more about how you can help.

http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MSABC_CY13_FindAnEvent

http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month