Pinktober: New Milford Area Organizations Work to Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer

NEW MILFORD, CT — October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and many local and national organizations are participating in "Pinktober" events to increase funding and awareness for treatment and prevention of the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Connecticut has one of the highest incidence rates in the country with an average of 138 cases per every 100,000 people. The CDC also states that breast cancer in the United States is the most common cancer in women, no matter your race or ethnicity, the most common cause of death from cancer among Hispanic women, the second most common cause of death from cancer among white, black, and Asian/Pacific Islander women. and the third most common cause of death from cancer among American Indian/Alaska Native women.

During the month of October, many area sports teams participate in Play4theCure, a fundraising platform for the National Foundation for Cancer Research, "which provides funding worldwide to the best scientists to enable cutting edge research that other large cancer organizations can’t and won’t fund, according to their website. "Play4theCure inspires young athletes and their teams to leverage their passion for sports to “Play4” loved ones affected by cancer and encourages them to actively participate in working to fund cancer research to make a difference.”

In Ridgefield, the girls field hockey team will participate in the "Pink Games" which will take place on Monday, Oct. 10 beginning at 4 p.m. at Tiger Hollow Stadium. Raffle tickets for a complete guitar package from Ridgefield Bach to Rock, area restaurants and salons are being sold now. Call (203) 403-3172 for more information.

In Danbury, the Making Strides walk to raise proceeds for breast cancer prevention will be held on Oct. 2 in Rogers Park. Also in Danbury, Western Connecticut Health Network is teaming up with Star 99.9 to present a month of events, activities, workshops to raise awareness and help prevent breast cancer. Click here to see a full calendar.

Nationwide, the Susan G. Komen foundation is holding the "Pink Tie Guys" event which encourages participants to pledge to raise money and wear pink throughout the month of October.

Are we missing an event you know about in your town? Email wendy.mitchell@patch.com and we will add it to our events calendar.

Photo of Girls Field Hockey players by Wendy Ann Mitchell