Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to "go pink"

Get your jump on for Breast Cancer—For the whole month of October at Rockin Jump Dublin, 5 percent of jump proceeds and donations will go to Tri-Valley Socks. Tri-Valley Socks is in Livermore and is dedicated to finding ways to cure cancer now. Their annual Bras for the Cause Breast Cancer Walk raises money for organizations such as Axis Community Health, Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, San Francisco.  Visit the Rockin Jump website to schedule jump time.

Power of Pink—For every Power of Pink bracelet sold, Brighton in Stoneridge Mall will donate $10 to Axis Community Health, in support of breast cancer awareness, mammograms, and breast care. Visit the Brighton's store website for more details on purchasing this bracelet, which is on sale in October.

Stackable Rings for the Cause—Mark Gregory and Company will offer a 10 percent donation to Tri-Valley Socks for any purchase of Stackable Expression rings before Nov. 17. For more information, please visit their website.

Nail and Skin Emporium—The Nail and Skin Emporium store will be collecting donations for Tri-Valley Socks and selling some of their bracelets for the month of October. They are located at 6995 Dublin Blvd., in Dublin.

Breast Cancer Symposium—On October 4, join ValleyCare Physicians and Staff members for the third annual Breast Cancer Symposium. The night will cover various topics including the importance of breast clinical exams, MRI of the breast, new paradigms in surgical management of breast cancer, radiation therapy, breast cancer genomics, personalized breast cancer therapy and survivorship, lymphedema treatment and more. The event is FREE and registration is required. Times and location may be found on their website. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Event—Salon Terra Bella will be hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Event on October 18. Five percent of all hair products sold will be donated to Tri-Valley Socks. There will be several raffle items featuring Steven Kent wines. Salon Terra Bella is located on the corner of Isabel Avenue and Vineyard Avenue in Ruby Hills, Pleasanton. This event is FREE. Check out their Facebook page for updates on the event. 

Rally for the Cure—Also on Oct. 18, Poppy Ridge Golf Course in Livermore will be hosting their Rally for the Cure Golf Scramble. The $75 charge includes 9-hole greens fee, $20 rally donation, lunch, clinic tee prizes, happy hour, raffle, and more. Proceeds for this event will go toward Breast Cancer research. For more details, check out the website flyer.

2012 TREK Breast Cancer Awareness Ride—On October 13, ride to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment and to help fund a cure. Event will begin at The Bicycle Outfitter located at 963 Fremont Ave. Los Altos. More details and registration information may be found on the event website.

Sweat to Fight Cancer—Join ClubSport Fremont and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. Participate in any one of our designated “Pink” classes, and get a “Sweat to Fight Cancer” t-shirt. Refreshments will be provided after all classes. All proceeds go towards the fight against breast cancer. Please visit the ClubSport Fremont's website for a list of scheduled classes and where to sign up.

Brides Against Breast Cancer—This is a unique opportunity to find the gown of your dreams at a remarkable price while helping make wishes and memory-making events come true. On Oct. 12-14, when you purchase your special dress at a "Brides Against Breast Cancer" charity wedding gown sale, you not only save hundreds even thousands of dollars you will help make a difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer. Make a tax deductible donation at the event or buy tickets for $25. Event will be held in San Leandro at BayFair Mall located at 15555 East 14th Street San Leandro. More event details are on the EventBrite page.

Dirty Girl Mud Run— Join Dirty Girl and the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Oct. 27 for a 5k mud run for women of all ages and athletic abilities. The muddy race will take place at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Don't worry, it's not a "race" in the traditional sense. There will be obstacles that challenge you too. The event will donate at least 2.5 percent of all registration fees to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. For registration information and event details, visit the Dirty Girl website or get updates on the Facebook page.

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 two-fer — 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.