October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are many different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in Capitola, Soquel, and beyond:
Chaminade Resort & Spa in Santa Cruz will be donating a portion of spa services revenue during October to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In conjunction with its parent company, Benchmark Hospitality, Chaminade will also make important information on breast cancer awareness available to women guests and their spouses or partners. Chaminade is at 1 Chaminade Lane, Santa Cruz. For details, call 831-475-5600.
All during October, Pure Barre sport and fitness center in Los Gatos is selling a limited pink sticky sock for use in workouts. All proceeds from sock sales will be donated to the American Cancer Society to help fight breast cancer. The center is located at 50 University Ave. For details, call 408-458-6811, or visit their Facebook page.
El Camino Hospital is offering a free Girls’ Night Out health celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 23, in Los Gatos. Those attending will be able to determine their breast cancer risk with the hospital’s new High Risk Breast Assessment tool. Free bone density heel screenings and skin complexion analysis also will be offered along with a discussion of various women’s health topics with local physicians. Attendees also will have a bit of pampering in the form of custom bra fittings by Nordstrom, massages, and tips for hair and grooming. Rounding out the evening will be prizes, giveaways and a chocolate fountain. The program is scheduled for 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the hospital’s conference center at 815 Pollard Road, Los Gatos. Registrations must be made online.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 13, for the 2012 TREK Breast Cancer Awareness Ride sponsored by The Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos. The 10 a.m. event is open to bikers of all ages and skill levels and will be divided into categories of 10, 25, or 50-mile routes. Advance registration fees are $25 and can be made online through noon, Oct. 12. On-site registrations can be made through 9 a.m. the day of the event at 963 Fremont Ave., Los Altos.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of SiliconValley plans its fifth annual fund-raising 5-k walk event at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The walk route begins and ends at the Arena Green near the HP Pavilion, 352 W. St. John St., San Jose, and follows the Guadalupe River trail through downtown San Jose. Visit their website for registration details.
In addition to these Capitola area events, there are numerous other events being offered throughout the Bay Area and Northern California.
Gilroy Premium Outlets and Susan G. Komen for the Cure are teaming up to support breast cancer awareness, research, and treatment programs in the community. During the month of October, customers who visit the on-site Information Center and donate $10 to support the cause will receive a 25 percent discount off one item from select stores including Calvin Klein, DKNY, J.Crew, Juicy Couture, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, True Religion Brand Jeans and more. Donations will be accepted on-site only via cash or credit, with all contributions benefiting Komen San Francisco. The shopping center is at 681 Leavesley Road, Gilroy. For details, call 408-842-3729.
AMF Mission Lanes in Milpitas offers an ongoing Breast Cancer Awareness League for bowlers who would like to roll a strike against breast cancer. A portion of the weekly league fees is donated by AMF to The Bowling Foundation to benefit Susan G. Komen For The Cure. The bowling center is at 1287 S. Park Victoria Drive, Milpitas. For league details, visit the website or call 408-262-6950.
Are you a film buff? If so, plan a road trip to Santa Rosa to attend the short film festival Lunafest on Oct. 14. Proceeds from the event are donated to the Breast Cancer Fund.
In Northern California the majestic Sundial Bridge in Redding will be bathed in bright pink light on Thursday, Oct. 18, by Nor-Cal Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness as part of its annual Think Pink Day. The day will be filled with activities to raise awareness of the importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. For details, call 530-921-9212.
For those who are looking for a little fun during October, Brides Against Breast Cancer is planning a “Last Night Out” costume party on Friday, Oct. 26, in Emeryville. The theme for the 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. party is tacky wedding attire. Admission is $30.
Then, on Oct. 27-28, the organization will host a charity wedding gown sale featuring many unique and designer dresses and gowns. Sale hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5. Both events will be at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1800 Powell St., Emeryville. To buy advance tickets, visit the Brides Against Breast Cancer website.
If you’re a runner, and plan to be in the Fresno area during October, the Komen Central Valley Race For The Cure is set for Saturday, Oct. 20. The 5-k race is open to children, adults, teams and individuals. Race entry forms and deadline information is available here. For details, call 559-229-4255, or send an email to info@komencentralvalley.org.
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.
