Breast Cancer Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), also referred to in America as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.
As well as providing a platform for breast cancer charities to raise awareness of their work and of the disease, BCAM is also a prime opportunity to remind women to be breast aware for earlier detection.

History

NBCAM was founded in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca, maker of several anti-breast cancer drugs). The aim of the NBCAM from the start has been to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer.
In 1993 Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President of the Estée Lauder Companies founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol, though this was not the first time the ribbon was used to symbolize breast cancer. In the fall of 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation had handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors.

The National Race for the Cure

In October 1983 the Race for the Cure was held for the first time in Dallas, Texas, where 800 people participated. According to the organizers, by 2002 the number of participants reached 1.3 million and the event was held in over 100 US cities. The event is also being organized in several other parts of the World.

Australia and New Zealand	Dove Pink Star walk
Germany	Komen Frankfurt Race for the Cure
Netherlands	Walk for Women
Italy	Komen Italia Race for the Cure
United Kingdom	Race for my wife and Race for life
Canada	Run for the Cure
Hungary	Avon One-Day Walk for Life
Puerto Rico	Komen Puerto Rico Race for the Cure
Bulgaria	Breast Cancer WalkRani Breast Cancer Trust rbct.org headquartered in Chandigarh, India organizes the annual Breast Cancer Walkathon, a unique treadmill walkathon event for awareness. Breast Cancer Today There are various two-day-long walks to raise money for breast cancer research institutes. Avon sponsors a 39 mile (60 km) walk. A walk in Atlanta offers varying lengths of up to 30 miles. Canada's large "Weekend to End Breast Cancer" features a 60 km walk. St. Louis, MO offers a one-day-long breast cancer walk. This walk consists of three miles. Susan G. Komen 3 Day 'For the Cure' This sixty mile fundraising walk, which is spread across 3 days, raises money for breast cancer research. This walk, which benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure occurs in several cities in the United States. The Breast Cancer 3-Day was previously sponsored and managed by Avon. Bulgaria Breast Cancer Walk Czech Republic Breast Cancer Conference France 5 km Breast Cancer Race/Walk Germany Women's 5k/10k Walk Run Greece Recognition dinner and Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Fashion show Hungary Walk for Life Ireland Breast Cancer Walk Italy Breast cancer Awareness event Poland Breast Cancer Walk Portugal Educational walk-a-thon Romania Breast Cancer Walk Russia Press conference Slovakia Press conference Spain Breast Cancer Walk Turkey "Trip to Health with Avon" walk Ukraine Breast Cancer awareness walk "Celebrating Life" award ceremony United Kingdom Ride to Empower The Ride to Empower started in 2008 and raises money for Breast Cancer Network of Strength's programs. The Ride to Empower is a destination bike ride, with fully supported route lengths ranging from a 100 miles to less than 32 miles. The location for the Ride to Empower changes yearly. Global Illumination Estée Lauder Companies has arranged to have more than a dozen world-famous landmarks illuminated in pink light to draw attention to the importance of mammography screening for early diagnosis of breast cancer as well as the research for finding ways to cure and prevent breast cancer. Some of these landmarks are: The Harbour Bridge Sydney Australia The Hangzhou Department Store Hangzhou China Niagara Falls Ontario Canada The Eden Project Cornwall England The Majestic Hotel Cannes France The French Affiliate Building Paris France The Angel of Peace Munich Germany City Hall Reykjavik Iceland Azrieli Towers Tel Aviv Israel Constantine's Arch Rome Italy The Arena Verona Italy Tokyo Tower Tokyo Japan Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College Miami, FL USA W Atlanta - Buckhead Hotel Atlanta, GA USA W Atlanta - Midtown Hotel Atlanta, GA USA W Atlanta - Downtown Hotel Atlanta, GA USA W Atlanta - Perimeter Hotel Atlanta, GA USA City Hall Square Seoul Korea The Dam Square Amsterdam The Netherlands The Skytower Auckland New Zealand The Empire State Building New York, NY USA Pink days During Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October, people raise money by organizing activities such as theme parties or a "pink day" (when employees wear pink clothing or accessories) at work. The money raised is donated to the organizers' choice of breast cancer care or research programs. An increasingly prominent "pink day" is Global Pink Hijab Day celebrated by many to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. National Football League During the month of October, the National Football League promotes breast cancer awareness by incorporating pink on its websites, graphics, and advertisements. Players also show support by wearing pink gloves, cleats, captains patches, and other apparel during games. Pink comic strips Over 50 comic strip artists used pink on October 10, 2010, using the pink ribbon with the words "Cartoonists Care". King Features Syndicate inspired the plan. Male breast cancer Male breast cancer, which is rare, is generally overlooked. In 2009 the male breast cancer advocacy groups Out of the Shadow of Pink, A Man's Pink, and the Brandon Greening Foundation for Breast Cancer in Men joined together to globally establish the third week of October as "Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week".