Think Pink: Local Breast Cancer Awareness Events

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink locally:

• The 18th Annual "Just Us Girls" 5K run for breast cancer is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Sea Girt Army Camp. 
• To recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Ocean County Women’s Health Month, Family Planning Center of Ocean County will be hosting a free educational program through Oct. 19. Women are invited to visit the 290 River Ave., Lakewood office where they can access free educational materials on women’s health issues. Refreshments and giveaways will be provided.
• Sunday, Oct. 21 is the annual Breast Cancer walkathon in Point Pleasant Beach at Ocean and Arnold Avenues in Point Pleasant Beach. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 10 a.m.
• Pier Village in Long Branch has partnered with Susan G. Koman for the Cure. Events and promotions will be featured all month. Click here for more information.

There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure.

Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise and it’s a twofer — retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects millions.

You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The agency has raised $75 million so far for research programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

The American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is organized nationwide and so far more than 8 million people have walked for this cause and raised about $460 million.

And you can join people from four continents in a Race for the Cure event organized by Susan G. Komen For The Cure, or an Avon Walk For Breast Cancer event organized by the Avon Foundation for Women.

TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.