How Groups Are Marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is upon us, and with it comes shorter days, sweaters, and the familiar sight of pink ribbons on lapels and in shop windows across the country. Breast Cancer Awareness Month  (opens in a new tab), an annual health initiative started in 1985 by the American Cancer Society, inspires organizations of all kinds to help raise awareness about breast cancer, promote early detection, raise money for research, and support patients.

The National Football League  (opens in a new tab), NFL Players Association  (opens in a new tab), and ACS  (opens in a new tab) have teamed on “A Crucial Catch: Annual Screening Saves Lives,” a campaign emphasizing the importance of regular breast cancer screenings. The partnership  (opens in a new tab) has already raised over $8 million for ACS, according to the NFL  (opens in a new tab).

The female-focused entertainment network Lifetime and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation  (opens in a new tab) (BCRF) have partnered to promote research funding through the #BeTheEnd campaign  (opens in a new tab). Lifetime is airing public service announcements featuring Project Runway cohost Tim Gunn, and fans will be able to bid on a quilt made by one of the show’s past contestants to raise money for BCRF.

“We are so proud to continue our partnership with BCRF this year as part of Lifetime’s continued Stop Breast Cancer for Life campaign,” Danielle Carrig, Lifetime senior vice president of communications and public affairs, said in a statement  (opens in a new tab).

And sports leagues and television networks aren’t the only groups helping the cause. The Rhode Island-based Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation  (opens in a new tab) will provide a bright pink bus  (opens in a new tab) in which patients can sit and swap stories in a comfortable and supportive environment on their way home from cancer treatment. The bus, which has been decorated with a couch and fireplace, will run on October 28 and 30.

Those are just a few of the many organizations that are working to raise awareness about breast cancer and benefit screenings, research, and patients. Look into groups in your area to find ways you can contribute.

Tweet of the day

Today is #WorldSmileDay  (opens in a new tab)! Share a story about how dentists are making people smile!https://t.co/nZLrOu2urN  (opens in a new tab)

— ADA (@AmerDentalAssn) October 2, 2015  (opens in a new tab)

Today is World Smile Day, and the American Dental Association  (opens in a new tab) wants everyone to show off those pearly whites. Celebrate by sharing a story on ADA’s Twitter page or sending friends and family into hysterics with your favorite joke. Either way, just take a moment today to smile.

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