As we near the middle of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, two major awareness and fundraising events are on the horizon. Both organizations are raising money to give local women breast care that would otherwise be unaffordable to them.
Pink pancakes and pooches
This weekend is Paint the Town Pink, an event that features a Breast Cancer Awareness walk, a 5K run, music, speakers and the Pink Pooch pageant.
Festivities kick off at 8 a.m. on Tuesday in the parking lot of Ashley Furniture in Columbus Park Crossing.
“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll have fun,” said Cheryl Johnson, executive director of West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition (WCGCC), the organization hosting the fundraiser.
She said the laughter comes from the Pink Pooch pageant, which consists of judges determining the “pinkness” of each of the contestants. Owners bring their four-legged friends clad in outfits or with their fur dyed pink.
Crying may occur when survivors and caregivers share their stories, during the balloon launch for survivors and in memory of those lost to breast cancer, or while witnessing survivors sign a pink fire truck which will make a stop in Columbus thanks to the Southeast Guardians of the Ribbon.
Fun will be had all day, Johnson said. The morning will begin with a pink pancake breakfast before the run and walk events. A children’s area will feature face-painting and temporary tattoos.
All the funds raised will stay within the 13-county area that WCGCC assists. The money will provide free mammograms and screenings to women who would not be able to afford them otherwise.
Last year was Paint the Town Pink’s first year and Johnson said they are trying to grow every year, especially because the funds they raise help local women.
Registration for the run and walk can be completed at the WCGCC website.
Roll the dice
Next Tuesday is Bunco for Breast Care, an annual event sponsored by St. Francis Hospital to raise money for breast health education and care at the Elena Diaz-Verson Amos Center for Breast Health.
“St. Francis hosts a few events throughout the year that raise money for different areas of the hospital but this is the one where I have people contacting me saying, ‘When can I register?’” said Jessica Hart, development coordinator for the St. Francis Foundation, of Bunco for Breast Care. “It’s pretty fabulous.”
The event started six years go, when Bunco was a popular game for women to play at each others’ houses, and is still an annual gathering for Bunco groups.
“A lot of women have gotten together over the last six years, gotten their bunco group to come play with us, and it’s really neat,” said Hart. “So far we’ve raised money that has provided mammograms and things of that nature for women in treatment and education. So with the funds raised, that’s where it goes, it goes back to the Women’s Center and it helps ladies.”
Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 at St. Anne Catholic Church’s Visitation Hall. The tournament will begin at 6:15 p.m.
It costs $35 per person to participate and slots are filling up fast. As of Friday, Hart said there were less than 100 openings “and it’s filling up quick.”
Don’t be intimidated if you’re a bunco newbie. Hart said they always hold a few practice rounds at the beginner to teach new players the rule and refresh the memories of those who haven’t played for a while.
McDonald’s is donating dinner; there will also be door prizes and prizes for the Grand Champion round players.
“Almost everybody knows somebody that’s had breast cancer or some form of cancer so it’s just really great that we’re able to offer this to the community and help some women who need the help and would otherwise not be able to have it,” said Hart.
