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Groups Prepare for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Events and Fundraisers Cropping Up in the High Country

By Emma Speckman

Oct. 3, 2014. Every year companies and organizations across the nation honor October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The NFL wears pink uniforms, Races for the Cure crop up in cities all around the country and local restaurants siphon off a portion of sales to one of the many nonprofits devoted to research about the disease, which according to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women and one in 1,000 men will develop in their lifetime.

Get out and get involved with some events and fundraisers taking place in the High Country this month!

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Numerous breast cancer charities have honored October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month since its conception in 1985.

Friday, Oct. 10 Appalachian Regional Healthcare’s annual Pink Day will take place at Cannon Memorial Hospital from 11 a.m.- 1p.m. and at Watauga Medical Center from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to wear pink and enter in the raffle for the opportunity to win one of 11 different pieces of rose quartz jewelry donated by Doc’s Rocks. Raffle tickets cost $5 each or $20 for 5 chances. The drawing will be held at 4:00 pm on Friday, October 10, 2014 at Watauga Medical Center. Winners do not need to be present to win.

Saturday, Oct. 18 Doc’s Rocks will host Mining for a Cure. The event includes raffle prizes, a silent auction and a drawing for a rare gemstone. All proceeds from the shop’s sales this day will go toward cancer research.

Friday, Oct. 24 Appalachian State’s chapter of Colleges Against Cancer will host its second-annual Glo Run 5K. Registration costs $20. The race begins at Sanford Mall on campus at 8 p.m. and runners are encouraged to wear glow-in-the-dark clothing and accessories. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

This month, Appalachian State University’s chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha will distribute their iconic Think Pink® ribbons, breast self-examination calendar stickers and breast health tip cards.

Erick’s Wine and Cheese in Banner Elk will donate proceeds from their weekly high-end wine tastings to the Wilma J. Redmond mammography fund through Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation.

“Fueling the Fight Against Breast Cancer” truck wraps can still be seen on three of Blue Ridge Energies’, the propane subsidiary of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, propane trucks. For every gallon of propane these flashy pink and white trucks deliver, Blue Ridge Energies will donate one cent per gallon to a breast cancer organization in the district where the truck delivers. Currently, there is one truck servicing Caldwell County, one in Watauga and one in Ashe.
“We are excited about being involved in the ‘Fueling the Fight’ campaign here in our communities,” said Glenda Christian, chief operating officer for Blue Ridge Energies, in a press release on their website. “Blue Ridge Energies is proud to support breast cancer related charities and we hope to make a difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.” These trucks and the corresponding charity have been a part of the company since October 2012.

Past events:

The “Breast Buddies” fundraiser at The Dande Lion boutique in Banner Elk lasted through September and raised  $3,011 for the Wilma J. Redmond Fund.