October 2007

It hardly seems possible, but it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month again! That means an event every other day. A fundraiser, a press conference, a meeting, a luncheon, an announcement of some kind.

But most importantly, it means awareness is brought to this disease that strikes 27 women in Pennsylvania each day. People are talking about this disease that is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States.

I know there is a school of thought out there that the whole “pink thing” isn’t cutting it. We need more than pink ribbons. We need more than pink fountains, like you will see in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Erie this month. We need more than walks, dances and art shows for the cause.

Well yes, we need funding for more research, women need to get their mammograms, and organizations like us need continued resources to be able to provide our educational programs and services to women and their families.

There’s a reason that there are two million breast cancer survivors alive today in the U.S., more than any other type of cancer. All the pink ribbons, pink fountains and pink products are working. Men and women are aware of the real threat of breast cancer. Researchers know that breast cancer patients are not the strong silent type and are working every day toward a cure. And I know that what the PBCC is doing is making a difference in Pennsylvania.

There IS power in pink. It’s real and it’s working.

Heather Hibshman
Executive Director