Delaware is thinking pink for the month of October in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.
The goal is to “create a community where every person diagnosed with breast cancer becomes a survivor, and fear and doubt are replaced with knowledge and hope,” says survivor and program manager Connie Holdridge.
Across the state, Delawareans will be participating in events to raise awareness and funds for a disease that hits close to home for many—breast cancer. Here are some of them:
Sept. 30
Rehoboth Museum Open House
This event is the official kick-off to Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the Women of Rehoboth exhibit on display and free wine, soda and snacks. The entrance fee is $5 to purchase a Tanger Style of Pink card. Contact Holdridge at 644-6844 or cdholdridge@debreastcancer.org for any questions.
Oct. 2-4
Wilmington Auto Show
This weekend-long, family-friendly event will be held on the Riverfront of Wilmington at the Chase Center starting at 10 a.m. For just $10 and free for children under 13, get your fix of exotic cars at this popular fundraising weekend. At the Auto Show on Friday night, stay out a little later for the Charity Gala with live music, food and the best of the best automobiles. Tickets for the gala are $100. Check out their website at www.delawareautoshow.com for more information.
Oct. 3
Dewey Goes Pink
Dewey’s 5K is your typical 5K, but through a rose-hued lens and for a good cause. The race kicks off at noon, consisting of a 5K run/walk or a 1.5-mile walk and the annual Pink Pig Roast. Over the past four years, the event has raised more than $136,000 to benefit the DBCC. For additional information head to http://thestarboard.com/event/dewey-goes-pink.
Oct. 3
Latina Breast Health Forum
This program focuses on educating the community on early detection by offering information sessions and free screenings at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Dover from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Programs are in English and Spanish. Contact Cheryl Doucette at 672-6435 or cdoucette@debreastcancer.org for more information.
Oct. 8
Best of the Bars–Milford
From 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 four bars in Milford will be working toward a unified cause—raising awareness and funds for breast cancer and the DBCC. They’re doing this through bartenders’ tips and donations made before or during the evening at Park Place, Arenas, Abbotts Grill and Grotto’s. Contact Cheryl Doucette at 672-6435 or cdoucette@debreastcancer.org for more information.
Oct. 10
Making Strides of Wilmington 5K by Papastavros’ Associates
It is time to lace up those running shoes for the Making Strides 5K in Wilmington on Oct. 10, starting at Dravo Plaza at 9 a.m. As of Sept. 17, nearly 700 participants have already raised over $87,000. To register, head to http://main.acsevents.org/.
Oct. 11
Oxford Feed & Lumber Pink 50 Poker Prance
Register to ride horses during this fundraising event for $35 (before Oct. 1) and receive a free lunch, pink T-shirt and a trail ride through Fair Hill from anytime between 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 11. Proceeds will benefit the DBCC as well as the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and a local Maryland agency.
Oct. 11
Ronny’s Garden World’s Fifth Annual Ladies Night Out
Giveaways, shopping, wine and fundraising—the definition of a successful ladies night out. Stop by Ronny’s Garden World in Smyrna on Oct. 11 starting at 5 p.m. and take advantage of the perfect GNO opportunity with your girlfriends.
Oct. 17
Monster Miles for a Cause
This year marks the sixth annual Monster Miles for a Cause walk at Dover International Speedway at 10 a.m. This family-friendly event aims at recognizing and supporting survivors and those who have been impacted by breast cancer, while fundraising. Last year they raised over $13,000. Make sure to register before Oct. 1 in order to get a free T-shirt included in the $25 registration fee ($30 on the day-of). Email mmarshall@debreastcancer.org for more information on the event.
Oct. 17-18
Third Annual Georgetown Breast Cancer Awareness Car Show
This two-day event features a live music on Saturday and a car show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Registration is $12 per person and all proceeds go to the DBCC. Contact Levin Clark at 500-1128 or Holdridge at 644-6844 with questions.
Oct. 23
Concert for a Cure
In October 2010, the Capital School District raised $200 for the DBCC after Susan Hayes, its senior secretary, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now five years later, and entering its sixth season of fundraising, the CSD has raised close to $14,000 in remembrance of those affected by breast cancer. “Each year we try to do something different,” says Dennis Hallock, president of the William Henry Middle School PTO, and this year they chose to hold a concert. Headliner is Andre “Royal” Watson from Elkton, Md. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults. Get your tickets at http://aconcertforacure.wix.com/concert#!tickets-and-donations/dpwwb or in person at William Henry Middle School, Central Middle School or Dover High School.
Oct. 23-24
Nurture with Nature
Standard support groups aren’t for everyone, according to survivor and DBCC program manager Lois Wilkinson, and that’s why she wanted to think outside the box with how to offer support to survivors. “Nature has such a calming effect,” she says, which is why Nurture with Nature, an overnight program at Ashland Nature Center, can be such a rejuvenating experience in the midst of stress from a cancer diagnosis. Call 672-6435 or 242-2895 or email lwikinson@debreastcancer.org if interested in participating.
Wilkinson says breast cancer awareness is “not all about the fluffy pink, it’s about the details.” It’s about early detection with annual mammograms and fundraising for a cure. It’s about providing support to both newly diagnosed patients and survivors, and that’s what this month seeks to do.
For a comprehensive list on Delaware’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month’s events, head to DBCC’s website at http://debreastcancer.org/events.
