Groups, Landmarks, Businesses Across Country Turn Pink

Think pink? It might be because it’s that time of year. Pink chocolate. Pink bagels. Pink hair weaves. Pink sheets. Pink stilettos. And, of course, a boatload of pink ribbons.

You'll likely be seeing pink all across the country in October, because it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Maryland-based energy company, Sharp Energy, Inc., introduced a pink delivery truck. But that’s not all they deliver: Their customers also get information on breast cancer.

Some Maryland landmarks will go pink, too, including the capital building, City Hall in Baltimore City, in Harford County and fire stations throughout Howard County.

“We are thrilled when a company decides to paint its building pink or when they allow women to take time off work for a mammogram or encourage them to get more information about breast cancer,” said Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer for the American Cancer Society.

“I want women to know the facts so we can end this once and for all,” she said. Music lost her mother to breast cancer and said early detection may have saved her.

Across the Country

Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa, FL, is offering a “Get into Bed PINKTOBER.” Sign up before Oct. 22 for a “pink sheet” room complete with a pink robe.

New York restaurant owners are thinking pink and serving it up, too. “Be an epiCUREan” is a campaign to help raise money. Participating restaurants will identify a “pink” menu item; whenever that item is ordered, the breast cancer piggy bank gets money (through October). Washington, DC, is having a similar dining program called Take a Bite out of Breast Cancer.

NASCAR wasn’t going to take a backseat in the cause. NASCAR painted a pace car pink and put a pink ribbon on it. They vowed to donate money for every lap the pace car had to take on the track. In September, one of the races was rained out and the laps of the pace car piled up.

Hanes® has been a long-time partner with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and added a comfort package on Facebook this year. It’s a customizable kit including a T-shirt, meant to be given as a gift. Hanes will give a portion of profits to the cause.

Land O’Lakes Purina Feed out of Pennsylvania put together 50 events aimed at educating women living in rural areas about breast cancer. They kicked off their Pink 50 with a Dash for Hope in Grantville, PA, at the Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

Some lines of animal food packages are pink for the season, too. “We wanted to put emphasis on women taking care of themselves,” said Anita Hood, equine specialist with the company.

Macy’s and Panera Bread (some locations including Pittsburgh) also got in on the pink-ribbon action. Macy’s has chocolates and stuffed animals, and Panera is baking pink ribbon bagels during October, both to benefit breast cancer awareness.