Community Corner

Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events in Ankeny

Whether it's raising funds or awareness, here's how you can participate, pledge support and donate to the cause in Ankeny.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in Ankeny:

Friday, Oct. 5: Can Do Cancer Accessory Swap and Benefit

Can Do Cancer, a local non-profit group, is holding a fundraiser Friday at Ankeny First United Methodist Church — Christian Life Center.

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A $20 donation to Can Do Cancer will gain you admittance to the 2012 Accessory Swap. Bring your old purses, jewelry, watches, belts, hats and more and swap them out with "new" items brought by others in attendance.

In addition to the swap, appetizers will be served and event-goers can participate in crafts and other activities, a silent auction, as well as shop local vendors.

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The event starts at 7 p.m.

Can Do Cancer was founded by four Ankeny residents. The organization works to support and enhance the lives of those going through breast cancer treatments in Des Moines and surrounding areas.

Saturday, Oct. 13: 2012 Trek Breast Cancer Awareness Ride

Join Bike Iowa in West Des Moines on Oct. 13 for an annual ride to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment and to help fund a cure.

The event starts at 10 a.m. at 5950 Village View Dr. in West Des Moines. This will be a fun, family-friendly ride complete with prizes, refreshments and goodie bags.

Registration cost is $25. Check the event's website for more registration information.

All Month: Shop at Complete Nutrition, Donate to Breast Cancer Research

Complete Nutrition, a retailer with locations in Ankeny, Ames and West Des Moines, has partnered with the National Breast Cancer Foundation for the month of October.

All three stores will collect donations from its customers this month on behalf of the NBCF, all of which will go directly to the organization to fund mammogram and educational programs.

As an incentive to donate, Complete Nutrition will give customers store credit equal to their donation up to $50.

National Events

There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure.

Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise and it’s a twofer — retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects millions.

You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The agency has raised $75 million so far for research programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

The American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is organized nationwide and so far more than 8 million people have walked for this cause and raised about $460 million.

And you can join people from four continents in a Race for the Cure event organized by Susan G. Komen For The Cure, or an Avon Walk For Breast Cancer event organized by the Avon Foundation for Women.

TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.


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