09/27/2006

Special to the Record-Eagle
Bikers Against Breast Cancer is one of a variety of events taking place in the region during October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Thinking pink — all month

National Breast Cancer Awareness is October focus

BY AL PARKER
Special to the Record-Eagle

Special to the Record-Eagle
Cheri Sprik, Irma Brownley and Pat O'Connor participate in last year's Bikers Against Breast Cancer event.

TRAVERSE CITY — Every October for the past few years, Irma Brownley invites about 100 of her biker friends to straddle their motorcycles and go riding with her.

It's not just a social function — though there's plenty of fun and biker camaraderie. Brownley does it to raise funds for the ongoing fight against breast cancer, a disease that hasn't really afflicted any members of her family.

"Why wait until it affects my family?" asks the Traverse City resident. "We all should do something now."

Irma represents the millions of Americans who are involved in efforts to raise funds for research about one of America's most dangerous diseases, with quite a few happening in October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Many volunteers have lost loved ones to breast cancer. Many others — like Irma — have not, but still recognize the need to support the fundraising campaign.

An estimated 212,000 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society. It's the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. About 1,700 cases of breast cancer will afflict men. In Michigan, about 7,070 new breast cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed this year, with about 1,360 deaths.

Brownley's annual ride has raised $1,000 to $2,000 a year for the past two years. This year's event is set for Oct. 7, with registration at 11 a.m. at Kick's Cycle Shop in Kingsley. The ride begins at 1 p.m. The registration fee is $20, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society earmarked for breast cancer.

"I'm grateful to all the riders who come out every year," said Brownley, who also credits her employer Airway Oxygen for helping to support the ride in several ways. "We ride every year on the first Saturday in October. It's cool enough then that the riders can all wear their leathers."

Also on Oct. 7, the Traverse City Track Club will host Remembrance Run 2006 to raise money for the Women's Cancer Fund. The non-competitive 5K walk/run at Timber Ridge Campground will be held in conjunction with a Breast Health Fair where exhibits will emphasize issues important to women, including breast cancer. The run begins at 10 a.m.

The Breast Health Fair, which runs from 8 to 10 a.m., will feature door prizes beginning at 8:15 a.m. Pre-registration is $20 before Sept. 30. Registration at the event is $25. Timber Ridge Campground is at 4050 Hammond Road in Traverse City. For information, call 941-4608 or go to www.tctrackclub.com.

With its distinctive pink ribbon logo seemingly everywhere, the breast cancer campaign draws support from women, men, teens, merchants and large organizations.

"Of all the calls we get on our 800 number, breast cancer is the top concern," said Kelli Kaberle, communications specialist for the American Cancer Society.

That concern is reflected in the widespread support that the effort has received across the Traverse City region, especially during Breast Cancer Month.

For example, Vera Bradley Designs has created a special pattern — "Hope" — to help raise money to fight breast cancer. From Oct. 1-15, the specially designed handbags, luggage and accessories with the "Hope" pattern are being featured at Kay's at 219 E. Front St. in Traverse City. Twenty percent of the funds raised from "Hope" products during this event will go to Munson Healthcare's Women's Cancer Fund. Pink ribbons, priced at $5 each, will be available at Kay's with all of that money going to the cancer fund.

On Oct. 14, a Recovery Plus Conference will be held at the Waterfront Conference Center in Traverse City. Breast cancer patients who are undergoing treatment and those who have gone through treatment are invited to attend the event which begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. For more information, call (800) 723-0370.

Hundreds of participants will get up and get moving during the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at 10 a.m. on Oct. 21 at Lay Park in Traverse City. This will be the region's fifth annual walk to raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer. At similar walks across the nation nearly 3 million walkers have raised more than $194 million by lacing up their shoes, collecting pledges and stepping out against cancer. Donations will be collected at the walk or may be made online at www.cancer.org/stridesonline. For information, call 947-0860.

"Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a great way for everyone to help increase the awareness of, and funding for, breast cancer," said Bob Burian, Northern Michigan Area Executive Director of the Cancer Society. "While those diagnosed with breast cancer have more hope today than ever before, much still needs to be done in order to eliminate this disease. That's why we hold a Making Strides in northern Michigan."

Early detection, through annual mammograms, is crucial in the fight against breast cancer. It's important that women get their mammogram every year, so physicians have something to compare from year to year. On the front line of the early detection campaign is Hilary Dodge, a mammography technologist at Munson Medical Center. Every day she performs mammograms on women who are fearful about the possibility of having breast cancer.

"I find breast cancer," said Dodge. "I see these patients every day. I do their biopsy. They often come in worried. I'm a hand-holder during the process."

If a woman detects a lump in her breast, she should contact her family physician immediately, advises Dodge.

"Get right in to your doctor," she said. "You can't ignore it."