The staff at Holcomb School joined together to show support for breast cancer awareness by wearing pink T-shirts. Photos provided [Click to enlarge]

Many area community and civic organizations come together every year in October to help raise awareness about a life threatening disease.

The month of October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), which aims to help bring people together to raise awareness about the disease and increase awareness about the importance of early detection through a national campaign.

NBCAM started as a week-long campaign in 1985 with two founding members and today, is host to many national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies that form the NBCAM Board of Sponsors, including the American Cancer Society.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women in the United States and results in the deaths of more than 40,000 women each year.

Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer death in white, black, Asian, and American Indian women and the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women, according to research.

To show support for the cause, the Holcomb School staff recently joined together in wearing pink T-shirts sporting a "Southern Belles Do Believe in Miracles" slogan. This was also done to show their support for a co-worker who recently had surgery for breast cancer, and "the many other women who are in this fight everyday."

Senath-Hornersville High School will be selling "Think Pink" T-shirts at the Pink Ribbon Princess Pageant to raise money for the Dunklin County Relay for Life. Photo provided [Click to enlarge]

The Senath-Hornersville High School will host its Third Annual Pink Ribbon Princess Pageant on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, to benefit the Dunklin County Relay for Life. "Think Pink" T-shirts, designed by Sarah Bibbs, will be on sale at the event for $10.

The Senath Women's Club will host a Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008.

The American Cancer Society also has programs that are available to help in the awareness of breast cancer including:

* The National Cancer Information Center (NCIC), wn which trained cancer information specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to offer live support and answer questions about cancer, link callers with resources in their community, and provide information on local events. To reach NCIC, call (800) ACS-2345;

* The Email National Cancer Information Center (eNCIC), which is a cancer information service that allows cancer patients, their families, and the public assk questions about cancer and receive prompt, unbiased information.. To visit eNCIC, log on to www.cancer.org and click contact us;

*The American Cancer Society Web site (www.cancer.org), which is a user-friendly Web site with interactive cancer resources. The site answers questions about breast cancer, risk factors, strategies for early detection, new diagnostic teachniques, and the latest treatment options;

* The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program which provides low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women aged 50 to 64 access to breast and cervical cancer screening tests and follow-up services;

* The Reach to Recovery Program which is facilitated by trained volunteers who are breast cancer survivors and helps newly diagnosed breast cancer patients cope with their disease by providing emotional support and information.

For more information about breast cancer awareness programs, vistit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.