Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events in October

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 in Virginia-Highland, Druid Hills, and beyond:

• In Virginia-Highland, Van Michael Salon and the Pink Heals Foundation bring back their Breast Cancer Awareness partnership with the “Blow Out To End Breast Cancer” campaign. During October, clients may choose from a menu of premium blow dry styles with a $5 donation to Pink Heals Foundation.

• Starting Oct. 1, the Wrecking Bar Brewpub in Inman Park will be pouring Boobie Beer - a pomegranate hibiscus wheat beer that aims to have you thinking - and drinking - pink. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

• In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month, Tin Lizzy's at 1136 Crescent Avenue is having a one-day fundraising event on National Taco Day (October 4) to benefit the Atlanta-based BCA nonprofit, It's The Journey, Inc. They will donate a percentage of every taco sold throughout the day to It's The Journey, Inc., a nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness for Georgia's breast cancer organizations offering support to women and men affected across the state.

• From Sept. 30 to Oct. 27, customers of Atlanta Kroger supermarkets, including the two in Midtown Patch at Ansley Mall and off of Ponce de Leon Avenue, may purchase pink paper ribbons for $1 at the checkout, the sales of which benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
• Georgia State University Pink Panthers Football Game on Saturday, October 6, 2012, 3:30 p.m. between GSU Panthers vs University of New Hampshire at the Georgia Dome. Click here to purchase tickets and proceeds from every ticket purchased will benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Georgia State will also be holding an online auction through October for Making Strides.
• The Mary J. Roberts Foundation presents its 2nd Annual Pink Cocktail Party, which celebrates breast cancer survivors, patients and caregivers on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Museum Bar, 181 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SW. Tickets $27.50 and may be purchased at www.4jane.org.
• Georgia State University Volleyball Survivor Game celebrating breast cancer survivors and their families on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at 2 p.m. at the Georgia State Sports Arena, 125 Decatur St. in Downtown. The GSU volleyball team will be honoring breast cancer survivors and their families at their Oct. 13 game; family and friends can send in the name of a survivor along with a short description of their story to be read and recognized during the volleyball match to dschirmer1@gsu.edu or call 404.413.4171.
• The American Cancer Society, based in Atlanta, is hosting an online chat on the topic of breast cancer on Oct. 16. The web chat is at noon at you can sign up at this link.
• Komen Atlanta's Worship in Pink Weekend Oct. 19-21 invites Atlanta's churches, mosques and synagogues to come together spread the life-saving message of breast cancer early detection.

• The Pink Ribbons program is organizing its annual fashion show and luncheon. The event is a great way to discover what’s in style this season and to raise money for breast cancer awareness. This event also features a fashion show where breast cancer survivors strut down the runway.

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. Locally, the event will be held on Oct. 6 at Centennial Olympic Park

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 section below this article.