With the month of October come fall colors and pumpkins and mixed among the autumnal flair this year is the color pink. Why? Because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month and pink is its color. Most everyone is familiar with breast cancer awareness and the woman most commonly associated with it – Susan G. Komen – but do you know her story?

When Komen was 33 years old she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Three years later in 1980 she died from the disease. Nancy Goodman Brinker, Komen’s younger sister, believed that things might have turned out differently for her sister had she known more about her cancer and its treatment. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to fight breast cancer and find a cure.

This promise came to fruition in 1982 with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Five years ago in recognition of the foundation’s 25th anniversary the organization’s name was changed to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and they adopted a new logo as a reminder of the promise Brinker made so many years earlier. The pink ribbon represents that promise and the organizations driving mission to put an end to breast cancer.

One of the best ways to combat breast cancer is by early detection. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the main goals of the program promoting breast self-examinations and screenings. The group firmly believes that “early detection saves lives.” Their foundation also advocates for more government spending on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Since its inception, the foundation has given more than $180,000,000 in grants for breast cancer research.

The largest fundraiser the Komen foundation sponsors each year is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which is a series of 5K runs and walks to not only raise money for the cause but also raise awareness among the public. The events also celebrate and recognize those who have survived the disease while commemorating those who have lost their battle.

All of us have women in our lives that we love and cherish. They are our neighbors, our daughters, our mothers and friends. Every one of them is at risk. So take a little time to take up the cause. Lend your support. Together, let’s make the next commemoration the last commemoration and every year a celebration of victory.

In other news, mark your calendars for the Bay Minette Public Library’s Fourth Annual Haunted Library on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. This family friendly event is sure to please. Also, while you are out trick or treating stop by the Bay Minette Civic Club’s Halloween Downtown Family Carnival from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the John. F. Rhodes Civic Center for carnival games, cakewalk and costume contest.

Joanna Bailey is the director of the Bay Minette Public Library. She can be reached at baileyvolumes@gmail.com