Did you know one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime? It isn’t difficult to find someone who is currently battling cancer, has had it in the past, or knows someone who is afflicted with the disease. Preventative measures and testing facts are heavily impressed upon us during the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but that doesn’t mean we have to wait until then to spread awareness and raise funds to help find a cure.
Recently, Bok Tower Gardens hosted their second annual “Pink Day” in order to celebrate breast cancer survivors and raise money for breast cancer research. On June 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, women visited Lake Wales’ famous Bok Tower Gardens; 50 percent of the event’s admission revenues and 10 percent of the revenues from Pink Day items (pink jewelry, polo shirts, hats, stationery, etc. that were sold specifically for the event) went towards the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is dedicated to putting an end to breast cancer. Over 20 vendors provided services, such as massages, manicures, and self-defense demonstrations. Amongst other products and services, mammography information was provided for women in attendance. All of this and more came free with regular-priced general admission ($12 for adults, $3 for ages 5-12).
The event stayed true to what Bok Towers is all about—being a safe-haven for plant and garden lovers. Along with Pink Day items, there was a Pink Plant Sale. “Wendy’s Wish” pink salvia, pink caladiums, hibiscus, begonias, and buddleias (to name a few) were available for purchase that Saturday morning. Along with the ticket and shop revenues, Bok Tower donated $1 for every “Wendy’s Wish” pink salvia purchased.
As mentioned before, the donations from Pink Day were donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). BCRF funds over 200 researchers in 12 countries all around the world. According to BCRF’s latest report, there are nearly three million Breast Cancer survivors in the U.S., and 90 percent of breast cancers are being diagnosed and treated early, which has increased cure rates. BCRF believes that with research, we can better understand cancer, and better understanding can eventually bring an end to breast cancer. For more information on BCRF, their mission, and their statistics, check out their website: bcrfcure.org
CREDITS
story by ANDREA REEVES
