Pink lights, pink banners and pink races. There is so much meaning behind one color. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and it is celebrated worldwide. The campaign works to increase awareness and funds to further the research of the disease. Across the world, the color pink is used as the symbol to represent support of those with breast cancer, with the main symbol being a pink ribbon. The month began to be recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month in 1985. The pharmaceutical division of the Imperial Chemical Industries and the American Cancer Society formed a partnership in October of that year. First Lady Betty Ford, wife to the former president Gerald Ford, is also credited with beginning to bring attention to breast cancer. Betty was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974 and spoke out about it, defying the stigmas of that time period. Addressing the American Cancer Society in November of 1975, Betty Ford assured those with breast cancer around the nation. “I think their surprise was a very natural reaction, because one day I appeared to be fine and the next day I was in the hospital for a mastectomy. It made me realize how many women in the country could be in the same situation. That realization made me decide to discuss my breast cancer operation openly, because I thought of all the lives in jeopardy,” Ford said. Closer to home, Cedar Rapids takes steps to respect the month. One event held annually is the Especially For You Race. This year, it was held on Sunday, October 3, with the race running near the downtown Cedar Rapids area. Almost 13,000 people participated in the multiple events in the race this year, with start times being spaced out every thirty minutes in an effort to combat COVID-19. Last year in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, the event had to be moved online but is now able to become an in-person event again this year. Event director Jeff Decker was happy to see the event return to in-person. “With this event, what we try to do is get a message out about maintaining those screenings. It was hard to do virtually. By getting back into an in-person setting, it helps us really communicate the importance of those annual screenings,” Decker said. The race raised over $385,000 in just registration fees that will be used for breast cancer screenings and research. According to Mercy Care in Linn County, the event has aided about 11,000 individuals with 26,000 services. Looking back, the month of October is all about supporting those with breast cancer and furthering efforts to research and raise funds. To learn more about how to spread breast cancer awareness, visit https:// www.nationalbreastcancer.org/ breast-cancer-awareness-month.