October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in the South Bay and beyond:
On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the Cancer Support Community - Redondo Beach will host a "just for ladies" event celebrating breast cancer awareness at the Comedy and Magic Club at 1018 Hermosa Ave. in Hermosa Beach. Festivities begin every night at 5:30 p.m. with the opening of the bar and silent auction; dinner, a live auction and a show will follow. Seats are $85 per person; to reserve one, call CSC-RB at 310-376-3550.
On Saturday, the "Stepping Toward the Cure" 5K Fun Run and Walk will begin at 7 a.m. at El Dorado East Regional Park in Long Beach. For more information, visit triplesteptowardthecure.org.
In Rolling Hills Estates, the annual Mary's 5K Run and Walk will start at the Promenade on the Peninsula at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 14. Registration costs $30 and can be done online or at iBerries in the mall. Proceeds benefit the YWCA and its EncorePlus Program, which provides breast cancer screening, among other services.
Spectrum Athletic Clubs will also host a three-day fundraiser from Oct. 18-20. For a suggested $25 minimum donation, members of the public receive a three-day pass redeemable at Spectrum Athletic Clubs in Redondo Beach (819 N. Harbor Drive), El Segundo (250 Park Place), Rolling Hills Estates (51 Peninsula Center) and Los Angeles (6833 Park Terrace). The gyms will have specially designed treadmill machines and special group fitness classes in honor of the month. For more information, contact Spectrum Redondo Beach at 310-376-9443.
The YWCA will host a Breast Cancer Awareness fashion show at ReVamp Boutique and Glam Lounge in Redondo Beach's Riviera Village on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $35; call 310-547-0831 for details.
Boogiezone Utopia at 1951 W. Carson St. will host a Zumba Halloween Party in Pink benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Oct. 27 from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are available for sale online and cost $10. Tickets will also be available at the door for $15.
In addition to these South Bay events, film buffs can plan a road trip to Santa Rosa, Calif. to attend the short film festival Lunafest. Proceeds from the event are donated to the Breast Cancer Fund.
There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure.
Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise, and it’s a twofer—retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects millions.
You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The agency has raised $75 million so far for research programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
The American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is organized nationwide and so far more than 8 million people have walked for this cause and raised about $460 million.
And you can join people from four continents in a Race for the Cure event organized by Susan G. Komen For The Cure, or an Avon Walk For Breast Cancer event organized by the Avon Foundation for Women.
TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.
