A couple of Octobers ago, I started to realize my world was being bombarded with PINK.  Not Victoria’s Secret PINK, but the color.  PINK.  Carnation-freaking-pink.  Come to discover that October is the National Breast Cancer Awareness month and Breast Cancer had claimed the color PINK.  Don’t get me wrong.  This combination makes complete marketing sense.  I like the color pink and I hate breast cancer and if making products the color pink gets money for breast cancer research, I’m down.  Pink is feminine and frilly and fabulous and breast cancer, generally speaking, strikes women.  It got my attention.  But it got my attention so much that I began to resent breast cancer for claiming pink.  Pink was taking over my life.  It was EVERYWHERE.  It was on my Luna Bars.  On my cereal boxes.  Toothbrushes, flash lights, disposable cameras.  If I needed to buy a set of measuring cups at Target, I felt like a bad woman for not buying the pink set that was going to give a $0.15 to support breast cancer research.  

Again, don’t get me wrong.  Breast cancer is a serious disease that I hope can be eradicated in my life time.  My Dad’s four sisters have all had breast cancer at some point and, thankfully and graciously, they all survived the illness.  I want money for breast cancer research (and AIDS, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, autism, laziness, my addiction to Ted Drewes mini mint oreo concretes…) just as much as the girl next door.  However, since I can’t seem to get over my frustration with the PINK association/obsession/take over (and I know there have to be more of you out there!), I figure I should clue some people in on other fantastic (and active!) ways to help support breast cancer research.

The Susan G. Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure will be held on June 13, 2009.  The Race for the Cure is a non-competitive (though, I’m sure you can compete with yourself, if competition is necessary!) 5K (about 3.1 miles) walk or run event held in downtown St. Louis.  Up to 75% of the proceeds raised in St. Louis have been pledged to stay in St. Louis.  While it’s too late to register with a team of walkers, it’s not too late to register as an individual walker!  Registration is $25, which gets you a nifty participant shirt and warm fuzzy feelings knowing that you’re donating at least $18 to helping women with breast cancer in St. Louis.  For a mere ten dollars more, you can choose to “Sleep In for the Cure” which may potentially be attractive to many women out there!  The goal for the race this year is 3.5 million at with 16 days to go, they’re at 1.9 million.  Just looking at the teams and the amount of money they’ve raised is motivating!

Heard of the Saint Louis Athletica?  If not, here’s your chance!  The Saint Louis Athletica is St. Louis’ own women’s professional soccer team. 2009 is the Athletica’s inaugural season and for the month of May, they are undefeated.  On June 7th, one dollar from every ticket sold will go directly Komen Saint Louis.  In addition to the ticket sales donation, the Athletica will host breast cancer awareness activities surrounding the game, including recognition of survivors at half time, a silent auction and a raffle for limited edition pink Puma game balls.  100% of the proceedes from the auction and raffle will also go to Komen Saint Louis.  If you’re looking for the best time to sign up for the Race for the Cure, you can sign up at the Athletica game on the 7th and receive a free ticket to an upcoming Athletica game.  The Athletica are moving to play their games at the AB Soccer Park.  Head out to the game to support a new professional sport here in Saint Louis with excellent role models for young girls (can you say Olympians?!) and breast cancer research.  You can wear pink if you want, but you definitely don’t have to.