Events planned for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

People are painting the town pink.

The leaves outside change to brown in October, while dozens of products and businesses change into pink for National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Buying things from yogurt to paper towels to movies in pink packaging can help the fight against breast cancer.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, second only to lung cancer.

Several area events are planned and available this month as people try to increase knowledge and prevention of the disease.

If you or your business has an event, add them to our online calendar at semissourian.com. We will check the online calendar and add timely events to this section for the month of October.

Buck for a Duck

Southeast Missouri Hospital Auxiliary volunteers will sell pink rubber ducks, scarves and bracelets in October to raise money for breast cancer programs at Southeast Missouri Hospital. During the "Buck for a Duck" campaign, auxiliary members will sell the ducks for a dollar each at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape Girardeau every Tuesday in October, from 5 to 8 p.m. Scarves and bracelets made by hospital volunteers will be sold. Auxiliary members will sell the ducks and other items in the Hospital Lobby on Oct. 13, 15 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People can also make donations for a drawing to win a pink "Vision of Hope" Thomas Kinkade doll.

Mamm-O-grams

The Saint Francis Medical Center Auxiliary will deliver Mamm-O-Grams to women to stress the importance of yearly mammograms. A pink carnation or a pink-ribbon balloon with a note will be delivered within the Medical Center. All proceeds from the $2-dollar Mamm-O-Grams will go to Dig for Life, a collaborative program through Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri State University volleyball athletes, that provides free mammography screenings and other assistance to area women. To send a Mamm-O-Gram, visit the Saint Francis Gift Shops or Volunteer Services office. For more information, call Debbie Gibson at 331-5117.

Wednesday

* "Breast Health 101": 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Southeast Missouri Hospital Harrison Room. Tips and instruction on conduction a breast self-exam and free clinical breast exams offered after the presentation. To register, call 332-1587.

* Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Drury Lodge. The fifth annual Pink Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon kicks off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Geannie Williams will be the guest speaker. The event will also include a silent auction featuring items from local boutiques. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Cost is $15. Call 334-9352 or 331-5357 to register.

Oct. 7

• Bosom Buddies: 6:30 p.m. in HealthPoint Plaza. This group is open to all women who have or have had breast cancer.