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Community Corner

Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events in the North Shore

From galas to walks to shopping, here's how you can participate, pledge support and donate to the cause in the area.

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.

The 2012 TREK Breast Cancer Awareness Ride is scheduled for October 13 at the Trek Store of Highland Park. The 25 and ten mile rides will raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment and to help find a cure through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. For more information on the 7th annual event, check out this website.

The American Cancer Society’s 2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk for the North Shore is scheduled for October 21 at Westfield Old Orchard in Skokie. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the largest network of breast cancer awareness events in the nation. Nationwide more than eight million people have walked for this cause raising $460 million. You can still sign up or donate by clicking here.

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The second annual Embrace the Race 5K Run / Walk to benefit the Northshore Kellogg Cancer Center will be October 21 in downtown Highland Park. The event aims to raise funds and awareness for breast and ovarian cancer. Register or find out more information here.

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

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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.

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.

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