Alabama goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Businesses and community organizations across the state give back and raise funds to support local, lifesaving breast cancer research

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) is partnering with local businesses and organizations across the state to support lifesaving, innovative breast cancer research. From schools to car dealerships, banks to real estate brokerages, over 25 groups have committed to fundraise and donate to fuel breakthroughs in breast cancer diagnostics, treatments, and prevention methods that ultimately save lives.

“The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama is proud to play a role in preventing breast cancer deaths through education and awareness this Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Beth Davis, BCRFA President & CEO. “I’m so inspired to see our partners unite behind our mission and hopeful for a future without breast cancer thanks to research.”

Proceeds from the events and promotions advance the most promising and innovative breast cancer research happening in Alabama. Last year the BCRFA invested over $1.225 million in 20 projects at seven Alabama-based institutes. The organization will announce it’s 2022 grant awards in December.

“The funding for research is essential,” continued Davis. “But Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also an important time to celebrate the successes of breast cancer survivors and memorialize lost battles while encouraging others to join the fight against a disease that touches so many.”

One in eight women and one in 1,000 men will develop breast cancer. This year alone, an estimated 4,280 Alabama women will be diagnosed and 730 will die. However, thanks in large part to investments in research and early detection, death rates from breast cancer in women are dropping. Thirty years ago, 4 out of 5 breast cancer patients lost their lives to the illness. Today, those numbers are reversed with 4 out of 5 breast cancer patients conquering cancer.

Individuals looking to get involved this Breast Cancer Awareness month and support breast cancer research can join in at one of the following community events. People without an event in their area can support the BCRFA with a donation, purchase the Breast Cancer Research license plate, snag some pink apparel at the BCRFA shop, or host their own fundraiser.

2022 Breast Cancer Awareness Community Events

• CahabaQue (Birmingham) – On Sunday, October 9, Cahaba Brewing Company and the BCRFA for BBQ, beer, and bragging rights at the CahabaQue BBQ cook-off. Guests will enjoy all-you-can-eat samples from each team’s BBQ offerings, craft beer, and live music. All proceeds benefit the BCRFA. Tickets and info at cahabaque.com.
• Calera Goes Pink (Calera) – Join the City of Calera as they go pink to support breast cancer research in Alabama throughout the month of October. This city-wide event includes the Calera High School vs. Helena football game on Friday, October 14 and a golf tournament at Timberline Golf Club on Sunday, October 16. Details at caleragoespink.com.
• Pink Up The Pace 5K and Fun Run (Mountain Brook) – On Sunday, October 23, lace up your sneakers to raise funds and awareness for local, life-saving breast cancer research at the 5^th Annual Pink Up the Pace 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run presented by Vulcan Materials Company. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome in both events. Stick around for post-race fun with music, refreshments, and children’s activities including face painting, a petting zoo, and an inflatable obstacle course. All proceeds benefit the BCRFA. Registration and info at bcrfa.org/events/putp.
• ARC Realty “Blue Goes Pink” (statewide) – ARC Realty will donate $25 for each new property listing in October while encouraging employees and agents to raise funds and awareness.
• Bertolone’s Classic Italian (Calera) – Throughout October, Bertolone’s Classic Italian is donating $1 for every slice of strawberry cake sold. Patrons can also purchase a pink ribbon ($1) in honor or memory of a loved one to be displayed in the restaurant.
• CrossFit Chelsea “Fight Like a Girl” (Chelsea) – On October 2, join CrossFit Chelsea for a fitness competition at Talladega Speedway to raise funds and awareness for the BCRFA. Learn more.
• CrossFit Trussville “Barbells for Boobs” (Trussville) – On October 29, join, CrossFit Trussville for their annual fitness competition and t-shirt sale raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Registration and details.
• The Depot (Auburn) – A portion of pink drinks sold at The Depot in October will support the BCRFA.
• Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market (Birmingham) – Twenty percent of the proceeds from their October “Charity in Bloom” arrangement will support the BCRFA. See website for details.
• H&H | Headwear & Haircare (online) – Five percent of sales from H&H’s Breast Cancer Survivors satin lined baseball caps will be donated to the BCRFA through the end of November. Customers can use promo code BCRFA for free shipping through October.
• J. McLaughlin “Think Pink” Sip & Shop (Mountain Brook) – On October 20, J. McLaughlin will donate 15% of all sales from their location at The Summit to the BCRFA. Patrons will also enjoy complimentary sparkling water, Prosecco, and light bites while they shop.
• Jeep Girl Mafia Show & Shine (Moody) – Join Jeep lovers from across the state on October 8 from 1 PM – 4 PM at Oh Sherri Pub for a Jeep Show and Shine and raffle with a portion of proceeds supporting the BCRFA.
• Pink Ribbon Project (fire departments statewide) – Sixteen fire stations from Hoover to Eufaula will sell specially designed Pink Ribbon Project t-shirts throughout October.
• Renasant Bank (statewide) – Twenty-four Renasant branches are raising funds through community fundraisers, t-shirt sales, and donations from the public and to support the BCRFA and Alabama breast cancer research. Renasant Mortgage will also donate $50 per mortgage closed during October.
• Standard Heating, Cooling & Plumbing (Birmingham area) – Throughout October,Standard Heating, Cooling & Plumbing will donate $5 per service ticket to the BCRFA.
• Step One Automotive Group (Bessemer/Birmingham) – Step One invites community members to come sign their pinked-out car all month long at their Bessemer dealership or at CahabaQue on October 9 or Pink Up The Pace on October 23. They will donate $1 for every signature to the BCRFA, up to $5,000.
• Stokes Automotive (Clanton) – Stokes Automotive will donate $100 for every car sold during October.
• Tameron Hyundai and Honda in Hoover; Tameron Honda Gadsden will donate $100 for every car sold in October.
• Texas Roadhouse (Pelham) – Throughout October, customers can buy a special edition breast cancer awareness gift cards and/or t-shirt at the Texas Roadhouse Pelham location. Fifteen percent of sales will go to the BCRFA.
• Wet Willie’s (Mobile) – Stop in to Wet Willie’s on October 15 (7 PM – midnight) for drinks, munchies and more and a portion of your purchase will be donated to the BCRFA, or drop in anytime in October to snag Wet Willies pink ribbon merch benefitting the BCRFA.
• Wind Creek Casino & Hotel “Make a Change” (Wetumpka) – Wind Creek Wetumpka guests are encouraged to donate their change throughout October with all proceeds supporting the BCRFA.

Additional community events and partners participating via internal fundraisers include:

• 24e Health Club (Pelham)
• Birmingham School of Law Black Law Students Association (Birmingham)
• Daphne High School FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) (Daphne)
• Hubbell Power Systems (Leeds)
• Kamtek Inc. (Birmingham)
• New Hope Baptist Church (Pell City)
• Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority (UAB) (Birmingham)
• SMP Automotive Alabama (Cottondale)
• Spain Park High School (Birmingham)
• Tuggle Elementary School (Birmingham)

About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama
Founded in 1996, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to find a cure for breast cancer by funding promising breast cancer research in Alabama and raising community awareness and funding for that research. BCRFA funds promote a comprehensive approach to battling breast cancer by fueling collaborative and innovative research to help diagnose, treat, prevent, and eradicate the disease. Thanks to generous community support, BCRFA’s lifetime investment in life-saving research totals over $12 million. All funding stays in Alabama, but the impact is worldwide. Learn more about our mission and breakthroughs at www.bcrfa.org.