Many factors influence breast cancer risk, including advancing age. Although breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, many women with breast cancer have no symptoms. Regular mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it progresses.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama has raised more than $8.7 million to support cancer research at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Birmingham at Alabama. The BCRFA helps ensure physicians and scientists can seize every opportunity for groundbreaking discovery and bring them directly to their patients.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the BCRFA and other local organizations are hosting events in and around Birmingham.
Sept. 28: “ENGAGE” Women’s Conference: Kicking off the month is the “ENGAGE” Women’s Conference on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Greater St. John Baptist Church (2401 Carlos Ave. SW, Birmingham). This event is $25 per person and will include breakfast and lunch.
Sept. 29: “Revvin’ 4 Research” Charity Motorcycle Ride: Join Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson for the 11th annual “Revvin’ 4 Research” Charity Ride, benefiting the BCRFA. Registration begins at noon at Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson in Pelham, with kickstands up at 2 p.m. The escorted ride will offer lunch, provided by the Yellow Rose, before departure and an after-party with live music at the Yellow Rose.
October: Full Moon Bar-B-Que’s Half-Moon Cookies for a Cause: The iconic half-moon cookie tins are going pink during the month of October, and $3 from every pink tin of cookies will be donated to the BCRFA. Full Moon will also donate 25 percent of proceeds from food sales at the Southside location on Friday, Oct. 11, and Friday, Oct. 18.
October: Cahaba Brewing Goes Pink for BCRFA: During the entire month, stop by Cahaba Brewing Company anytime as they go pink. Cahaba Brewing will have a tart cherry and hibiscus Berliner Weisse specially brewed for the month with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the BCRFA.
October: Ghost Train: Stop by Ghost Train Brewing Company and a percentage of sales of the Kaleidoscope Kettle Sour will benefit the BCRFA throughout the month.
October: The Cowfish’s TataTinis: Be sure to dine at The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar and order a TataTini throughout October. The Cowfish is donating $2 from every specialty pink martini to the BCRFA.
October: Pink Ribbon Project: Fire stations across the state will Go Pink! to support breast cancer research in Alabama throughout the month of October. More than a dozen stations across Alabama will be selling specially designed Pink Ribbon Project T-shirts for $15 and $20. Proceeds will help the BCRFA provide seed dollars required to secure national grants for breast cancer research at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. Click here for a list of participating fire stations.
October: Tameron Automotive Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign: Tameron Automotive Group will donate $100 in support of breast cancer research for every new car sold during the month of October at Tameron Honda (1675 Montgomery Highway, Birmingham) and Tameron Hyundai (1595 Montgomery Highway, Birmingham). Tameron donates $25,000 each year through this October partnership.
October: Renasant Bank Fundraising Campaign: Renasant branches statewide will hold fundraisers for the BCRFA and accept donations from their account holders throughout the month of October. Renasant Mortgage will donate $50 for every mortgage closed in October with Renasant.
October: Texas Roadhouse in Pelham: Throughout the entire month, when dining at Texas Roadhouse, guests can choose to donate money toward gift cards that will be given to the BCRFA to support its events and activities.
October: ARC Realty Blue Goes Pink: ARC Realty Blue will donate $25 to the BCRFA for each new property listing that happens during October. Proceeds will support breast cancer research in Alabama.
October: Calera Goes Pink!: Join the City of Calera as they “Go Pink.” This citywide event kicks off with the Calera High School football game Friday, Nov. 1, and a golf tournament at Timberline on Sunday, Oct. 20. For details on how you can get involved, call the BCRFA at (205) 996-5463.
October: Brighton Collectibles: From Friday, Sept. 27, through Thursday, Oct. 31, Brighton Collectibles at The Summit will be selling two different bracelets that have been specially created to promote breast cancer awareness; $10 from each bracelet sale will be donated to the UAB Angel Squad. In addition, each Saturday in October, UAB Angel Squad members will be in the store from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to talk to customers about the importance of mammograms and breast self-awareness in the early detection of breast cancer.
Oct. 1: BCRFA’s Go Pink! T-shirt Sale: Short- and long-sleeved T-shirts will be available for sale Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the second floor Atrium of the North Pavilion Building at UAB. Short-sleeved shirts are $15, and long-sleeved are $20.
Oct. 4: Jim ‘N Nick’s Angel Squad Breast Cancer Awareness Day: UAB’s Angel Squad members will be present in Jim ‘N Nick’s restaurants throughout the Birmingham area from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to promote breast cancer awareness and the importance of mammograms. They will also be selling Jim ‘N Nick’s gift cards for $10; half of the proceeds will support breast cancer patients at The Kirklin Clinic of UAB Hospital. Gift cards will be sold through the end of November.
Oct. 5-6: Bow-Up Against Breast Cancer: Heritage Archery Club and the BCRFA will host the eighth annual Bow-Up Against Breast Cancer 3-D Archery Tournament to raise money for breast cancer research. Visit bow-up.org for more information and to register.
Oct. 7: Buffalo Wild Wings: On Monday, Oct. 7, 20 percent of all sales from the Gardendale and Tuscaloosa Buffalo Wild Wings locations will go to the BCRFA.
Oct. 10: Charity Shopping Event at The Summit: Join us at J. McLaughlin from noon-5 p.m. and Kendra Scott from 5-7 p.m. at The Summit on Thursday, Oct. 10, for a charity shopping event, with a percentage benefiting the BCRFA.
Oct. 12: Race for the Cure: The 28th annual Komen North Central Alabama Race for the Cure will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Railroad Park beginning at 7 a.m. This annual event raises significant funds for the breast cancer movement.
Oct. 12: Pink Luncheon Benefiting BCRFA: This year’s 11th annual luncheon theme is “Crazy for a Cure Fiesta.” Make a minimum donation of $25 to the BCRFA, and head over on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to enjoy a buffet and prizes at the MSE Building Co. (5500 Derby Drive, Birmingham). RSVP at (205) 833-9010.
Oct. 17: A Breast Cancer Lunch and Learn: In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center will host a Breast Cancer Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Oct. 17, from noon-1 p.m. at the Town Creek Community Center (15971 Main St., Town Creek). RSVP to Donna R. Shanklin at (256) 974-2464 by Friday, Oct. 11.
Oct. 19: PinkTopps: Looking to jump-start a healthy lifestyle after treatment? Join PinkTopps and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the PinkTopps Resource and Wellness Center (1931 Third Ave. N., Suite A, Bessemer) from 3-5 p.m. for refreshments and a chance to learn more about how exercise can help.
Oct. 29: Charity Night at Rojo: Make plans to stop by Rojo Birmingham on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 5 p.m.-midnight, when 10 percent from all food and drink orders will go to the BCRFA.
Nov. 23: CrossFit Chelsea’s “Fight Like a Girl”: Head out to CrossFit Chelsea for the second annual “Fight Like a Girl,” a two-person, mixed-gender CrossFit team event raising funds and awareness for the BCRFA.