Searcy, Ark., (LP) October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer risks, the value of screening and early detection, and treatment options available to women and men who are diagnosed with one of the many forms of breast cancer. More than 249,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer every year, and nearly 41,000 die from the disease. Breast cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Only lung cancer kills more women each year. And there remains a large racial gap in mortality, with African-American women having 42 percent higher death rates compared to whites. The chance that a woman will die from breast cancer is about 1 in 37 (about 2.7 percent).Over the years, a loop of pink ribbon has come to symbolize breast cancer awareness, and today the image of a pink ribbon can be found emblazoned on thousands of products, from apparel to dishware to office supplies. But there’s more to awareness than just wearing pink. Getting screened and early detection is a huge part in breast cancer awareness.

Thanks to events like Komen’s Race for the Cure®, Susan and her volunteers have invested over two billion dollars to fulfill their promise, playing a critical role in virtually every major advancement in breast cancer. But, there is still work to be done, and they need your help. Your donations and fundraising dollars will help them get to the finish line. The race is nationwide, almost every state has a race you can join.

I talked to some of Searcy’s students about how they are affected by Breast Cancer and how they are spreading awareness. Caleb Fairchild (Senior) has an aunt that has recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, he said it has taken a huge toll on his family. He has attended Komen’s Race for the Cure several times the past few years and he plans on doing so this year. Sophomore Kyle Burton’s  grandma passed away before he was born, even so, his family donates yearly to finding the cure and he has participated in the run almost every year since 7th grade. John Jordan’s (Junior) mother and his grandmother have both had breast cancer. He shows awareness by participating in school events such as the bake sale the volleyball team had this past Friday, and the pink out game for football. He also has attended the Race for the Cure multiple times in his life and his family donates as much as they can every year. The Lions will be hosting a “War Against Breast Cancer” October 20th so make sure to make it out decked out in war pink paint!!