The Steel Magnolias Breast Cancer Support Group is promoting “Pink Week” in Magnolia and Columbia County for Breast Cancer Awareness, the week of Oct. 3-12.
Friday, Oct. 3, has been proclaimed “Go Pink Day” for the City of Magnolia, and is the kick-off for “Go Pink” week activities. Gov. Mike Beebe has declared Oct. 3 as “Go Pink for the Cure Day” all over the state of Arkansas to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
According to Patsy Bentley with Steel Magnolias, the group encourages citizens, coworkers, schools, friends, and family to wear pink sometime during the week or even during the month of October, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. “Even if it is only a pink ribbon worn on a lapel, it will still show support for this cause,” she said. Businesses, offices, and schools are asked to decorate with pink ribbons or displays. Several banks and local government offices have already planned their day(s) and the Magnolia Public School system’s “Pink Day” will be Wednesday, Oct. 8, Bentley said.
The group will have two teams participating in Susan G. Komen Texarkana and Arkansas Komen Race for the Cure, according to Bentley, who serves as team captain. There are 39 registered to go to the Arkansas Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Little Rock, and 66 registered for the Texarkana race.
“Pink Week” activities serve as a fundraiser for their two teams, and the money raised is split between the two Komen affiliates. The two Komen affiliates serve local individuals who are experiencing breast cancer diagnosis and may not have insurance to help. Both of these affiliates provide grants to hospitals. Both affiliates have treated and helped numerous breast cancer survivors from this area through the grants they award each year from funds raised.
The funds raised during October will be for Susan G. Komen for the Cure Texarkana and Arkansas Affiliates. The affiliates use 75 percent for grants to help with education, research, and programs in their areas; 25 percent of the donations will be sent to the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to be used strictly for breast cancer research. “Many breast cancer survivors in our area have had treatments resulting from the discoveries funded by these donations,” Bentley said. “Hopefully, one day, this research will find the cure for breast cancer.”
For the Arkansas Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Little Rock, Steel Magnolias is a Crystal and Mile Marker 1 sponsor.
The Arkansas race is in the fourth largest Race for the Cure event in the world with over 40,000 participants each year. The theme of the race this year is “Move. Be Moved.” Bentley was selected to represent all the metastatic breast cancer survivors in Arkansas as part of this year’s advertising campaign. Pink posters with her photo and story from the “Arkansas Democrat-Gazette” may be seen at some of the local banks, businesses, and schools in Magnolia.
Those who wish may support the Komen race teams by giving a $5 (or whatever possible) donation. The money raised will be split between Komen Texarkana and Komen Arkansas. All checks should be written to Steel Magnolias Breast Cancer Support Group.
“Breast cancer continues to touch many people in many ways,” said Bentley. “Please consider helping Steel Magnolias Breast Cancer Support Group members in their efforts to fight this disease. The public’s support is very much appreciated by all of the members who have already fought one or more battles with breast cancer, and by those who may have to face breast cancer in the future.”
“Please paint the town and county pink during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Bentley. For more information or to turn in donations, contact Patsy Bentley at 234-7916, Regina Minor at 904-0522, or Barbara Hall at 234-3277.
Several events have been scheduled during the month of October:
•The Steel Magnolias Breast Cancer Support Group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 in the meeting room at First Presbyterian Church, 1417 North Jackson. October’s Breast Cancer Awareness activities will be discussed. All breast cancer survivors are invited to attend. For more information call 234-7916.
•Wentworth Place will host its annual Breast Cancer Survivor Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. Breast cancer survivors who would like to attend may RSVP to Patty Clary at 234-1361.
•Texarkana Komen Race for the Cure will be on Oct. 18 at the Four States Fairground. At that race, Steel Magnolias is a Silver sponsor. The Steel Magnolias team from here, usually recognized as one of the largest non-profit teams in that race, has 66 participants registered, according to team captain Regina Minor. The theme is “Sweet Sixteen Because Nothing’s Sweeter than the CURE!”
•Steel Magnolias members will travel to the Tri-County Breast Cancer Support Group meeting in El Dorado on Monday, Oct. 20, at 6:00 p.m. at the Episcopal Church, hosted by Breast Friends. Members from Second Chances from Camden, will also be guests for the evening.
•Steel Magnolias will have a fundraiser on Nov. 13. The public will have an opportunity to receive a $1,000 Visa, $250 Amazon, or $100 Walmart gift card for donations of $5 each or five for $20. Proceeds will go to the Arkansas and Texarkana Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Contact any Steel Magnolias member for tickets or more information at 234-7916, 234-3277, or 234-1725.