October events seek to raise money, awareness for breast cancer

The American Cancer Society estimates about 40,170 women will die this year from breast cancer. That's almost the population of Cape Girardeau.

October is breast cancer awareness month, and in their ever-present efforts to increase awareness about the disease, local hospitals, organizations and the American Cancer Society have teamed up for breast cancer events and promotions.

HealthPoint Fitness has a brand-new, bright pink treadmill from the exercise equipment company Cybex. The company has put a pink treadmill in both the Cape Girardeau and Jackson locations as well as dozens of gyms around the country, and it has pledged to donate 10 cents per mile walked or run on the treadmills during October. The "Pink Ribbon Run" will start at 8 a.m. Thursday with breast cancer survivors hitting the treadmill to rack up miles. Nonmembers can go to either location and use the treadmills for a fee, which will be used to help fund cancer patient care at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

All that running can be put to further use at the Pretty in Pink 5K run/walk for Breast Cancer Awareness at 8 a.m. Oct. 17, starting and ending in Arena Park.

"People are still dying from cancer," said Shannon Daniels, a financial planner at Commerce Bank who planned the charity run this year.

"These days most people think I work for the American Cancer Society because of all the work I've been doing," she said.

Daniels, who volunteers regularly with the American Cancer Society, said she has never had cancer, but many of her family members have.

"It's just something that I really believe in," she said. "I've had several clients die from cancer, and I work in a bank. It just seems to affect so many people."

The funds from the run and from a Pretty in Pink Women's Event on Thursday will benefit the American Cancer Society and its annual Cure for Cape County Cancer Gala, a ball usually held in February.

Daniels said that in 2010, the gala will be held in August. It raises money for the local American Cancer Society chapter, which uses it for wigs, nutritional supplements and transportation of cancer patients and survivors.

While Daniels is worried that a way to cure breast cancer has not been discovered, others focus on early detection.

"The key is to provide women with knowledge," Dr. Olivia Aranha, an oncologist/hematologist at Saint Francis Medical Center, said in a news release. "Armed with knowledge, women can take control of their health by implementing lifestyle changes, developing an early detection plan and encouraging others to do the same. Better than a cure is prevention -- early detection saves lives."

Aranha will conduct a cancer-focused community education seminar in mid-October for people who have questions about breast or cervical cancer.

Saint Francis will again partner with the Southeast Missouri State University women's volleyball team for the 10th annual Dig for Life campaign, starting with the Redhawks game against Jacksonville State at 7 p.m. Oct. 9.

Volleyball players get pledges for each dig during their October home games. When a player reacts after a strong hit from the opposing team and keeps the ball in play, it's called a dig.

The Dig for Life campaign has raised more than $70,000 dollars since it started in 2000.

The Saint Francis Medical Center Auxiliary will offer Mamm-O-Grams also. Beginning Oct. 9, a $3 donation buys a pink carnation or pink-ribbon balloon with a written reminder of the importance of a yearly breast exam to someone inside the hospital or picked up to be delivered by the buyer.

charris@semissourian.com

388-3641

BREAST CANCER EVENTS

Thursday

Pretty in Pink Women's Event

Enjoy a girls' night out and benefit the American Cancer Society while doing it. The Cape County Cancer Gala presents hors d'oeuvres, drinks, a fashion show and auction at The Venue. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. For tickets or more information, call 334-9352.

Cybex Pink Ribbon Run

Breast cancer survivors will be the first to test a treadmill that will record each mile logged through October. Exercise company Cybex will donate 10 cents for each mile logged on the treadmills at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

Oct. 6

Bosom Buddies

Southeast Missouri Hospital hosts a monthly support group for women open to all women who have or have had breast cancer. Meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at HealthPoint Plaza.

Oct. 9

Dig for Life

The Southeast Missouri State University women's volleyball team kicks off its annual Dig for Life campaign in conjunction with Saint Francis Medical Center. The Redhawks play Jacksonville State and will raise money with each defensive dig against the team.

Oct. 12

Buddy Check 12

A once-a-month day to find out your risk of developing breast health issues using an online breast health assessment at Wellness Connection. No appointment is necessary.

Oct. 13

Breast and cervical cancer education seminar

Dr. Olivia Aranha, a medical oncologist/hematologist at Saint Francis Medical Center, will give a free seminar on breast and cervical cancers, prevention, screenings and treatment at 6 p.m. at Saint Francis Medical Center.

Oct. 16

Party with the Captain breast cancer awareness celebration

The Riverfront Event Center at Harrah's Metropolis Casino & Hotel in Metropolis, Ill., will hold a Party with the Captain celebration to raise awareness for breast cancer and to benefit the American Cancer Society of McCracken County and Southern Illinois with drinks, appetizers and a performance by Burning Las Vegas. Tickets are $20 by calling 888-512-7469 or visit metropolis.frontgatetickets.com.

Oct. 17

Pretty in Pink 5K run/walk for breast cancer awareness

Starting and stopping in Arena Park, this 5K run/walk will benefit the annual Cure for Cape County Cancer Gala and the local American Cancer Society. Sign-ups can be found at HealthPoint Fitness or by calling the ACS at 334-9352 or organizer Shannon Daniels at 986-7007.

Oct. 26 to 28

Treadmill Challenge

HealthPoint Jackson and HealthPoint Cape will compete against each other to see which gym can log more miles in the three days at the end of October. Participants pay $20, receive a T-shirt and schedule a time to walk on the pink Cybex treadmill. The proceeds of the challenge benefit cancer patients at Southeast Missouri Hospital and the miles logged on each treadmill count in the October Pink Ribbon Run.