October 16th, 2009
Pink all around for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Front row, left to right: San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz, Tanger Outlet Mall General Manager Tanger Michelle Carswell, Clay DeStefano of Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC), Carol Belver of Community Action, Mary Cavanaugh of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Keri Worthy and Lydia Perez of Community Action. Back row, left to right: City Councilmembers Kim Porterfield, Fred Terry, Chris Jones, Gaylord Bose, Pam Couch and John Thomaides. Photo by Don Anders.

STAFF REPORT

San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz proclaimed October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” to support the annual campaign to combat the disease and increase early detection.

The local Pink Ribbon campaign includes free mammograms for low income women provided by Central Texas Medical Center (CTMC) with the help of Tanger Outlet Center, San Marcos Medical Imaging, and Community Action, Inc.

The city’s “pink” events include the San Marcos Professional Firefighters Association, Local 3963 (SMPFFA) and the San Marcos Police Officer Association (SMPOA) wearing pink uniforms Oct. 25-27 as part of a statewide campaign to raise funds, awareness and support for breast cancer research.

Both associations are raising money by selling pink T-shirts for $10 throughout the month of October. Fifty percent of the proceeds will go to the Komen Austin Foundation and the remainder will establish an account to assist local firefighter and police families battling cancer. Shirts can be purchased at Two P’s Boutique Oct. 16-17 from noon-5 p.m. and at the San Marcos Police Department (SMPD) Oct. 18 from 2-5 p.m. Order forms may be downloaded from the city’s website at www.sanmarcostx.gov/fire by clicking on the link for “Care Enough to Wear Pink Campaign.”

On Oct. 21, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Embassy Suites and San Marcos Conference Center, 1001 E. McCarty Lane, will host the SMPFFA “Pink Heals,” including a pink fire truck, guest speakers, educational booths, and a bone marrow drive. The public is welcome to attend and encouraged to wear pink.

Pink is everywhere this month, and the staff at the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) recently surprised Sheriff Tommy Ratliff by showing up en masse last week clad in pink.

AstraZeneca, manufacturer of breast cancer drugs, founded Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 1985 to promote mammography for early detection. The month proved to be bigger than just one company. Through the years, thousands have joined in the fight for the cure and heightened awareness. In 1993 Evelyn Lauder, of the Estee Lauder company founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol. In 1991, the Susan G. Komen Foundation first handed out Pink Ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors.

Sheriff Tommy Ratliff (he’s the one in blue) with his “pink” administrative staff.