Breast Cancer Awareness

The MHCC volleyball team took steps to raise awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its annual “Dig Pink” match last Friday.

“It seems like it’s grown even more each year,” said head Coach Chelsie Speer.

The team dressed in pink for its match against Clackamas Community College, which they won in three straight sets. They will also be wearing pink Saturday at the Shoreline Crossover Tournament.

The girls showed their support by adding pink bows to their shoes and hair.
“They brought more to it,” said Speer.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been in place for more than 25 years to promote awareness about breast cancer.

Other organizations in the Portland Metro area are also stepping up to raise awareness. Northwest Personal Training will be hosting the “Girlfriends Half Marathon” Sunday at 9 a.m. in Vancouver., Wash. Registration is accepted until Saturday; the cost is $80.

All of the profits will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Kearney Care Center. For more information on this event, visit www.nwpersonaltraining.com.

A local Gresham orthodontist, Tom Hardin, hopes to bring a smile to a breast cancer survivor’s face.

Until Oct. 16, for every new “like” on the Hardin Orthodontics Facebook page, Hardin Orthodontics will donate $1; matching up to $2,000. They draw a name from a list of breast cancer survivors and the winner will be sent on a weekend getaway.

The Komen Eugene Race for the Cure will be held Oct. 21 starting at Autzen Stadium. The various races will begin between 7:30-9:30 a.m. For more information, visit www.komenoregon.org.

In addition, the National Football League has collaborated with the American Cancer Society. Survivors have been incorporated into the national anthem performances, and pink can be seen on the players and on the sidelines throughout October.

Major League Baseball went to bat against breast cancer last spring on Mother’s Day continuing its tradition since 2006. Players, coaches and umpires sport pink accessories and players even use pink bats.

Even though the event is not in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, MLB has partnered with the Komen organization to help find a cure for breast cancer. Pink merchandise is also available in the “Shop” section of www.mlb.com.

The Susan G. Komen organization encourages breast self-awareness. Talking to your doctor about your family’s health history and your own risk can raise awareness about your risk of developing breast cancer. Mammograms are recommended every year starting at age 40. In addition, a clinical breast exam should be scheduled a minimum of every three years beginning at age 20.

Self-evaluation is also important in reducing your risk. Notify your doctor if any changes to your breasts occur, such as lumps, swelling or a change in shape or size. A list of what to look for can be found on Komen’s website at www.komenoregon.org.