Local Businesses Embrace Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Get prepared to see a whole lot of pink in coming weeks as businesses around Westminster line up to help publicize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which begins Oct. 1.

Westminster’s Dressbarn shop and the Hair Cuttery are just two of many local businesses recognizing the cause.

“I think it’s great,” said Westminster Dressbarn store manager Judy Mayer. “I have lost a friend several years ago to breast cancer…[Breast cancer research] needs all the support it can get an all the funding it can get to hopefully put an end to it.”

In support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dressbarn, a national women’s clothing chain, aims to get more than one-quarter million women to take its “Pink Pledge” to combat breast cancer. Throughout the month, Dressbarn seeks to attract a minimum of 261,000 such pledges from women who will commit themselves to getting a mammogram, eating healthier or taking bold steps to ward off breast cancer or catch it at an early stage.

“Breast cancer is openly spoken about,” stated Vivian Behrens, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Dressbarn in a press release. “Women aren’t afraid to share their stories of survival or speak openly about the importance of early detection. We view the 'Pink Pledge' as a social platform to enhance awareness, allowing women to publicly promise to take care of themselves to help curtail the devastating effects of the disease.”

In support of breast cancer research, the company is also selling a special stuffed animal at its stores.

“Everyone needs to get out there to take the pledge, and encourage someone else to do it,” Mayer said.

In the meantime, on Sunday, the Hair Cuttery is hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Month kick-off party under the theme “Passionately Pink for the Cure.” 
The salon will be selling pink hair feathers, while donations made during the event will be matched by the Ratner Foundation, the family foundation of Hair Cuttery’s owners.   

According to the event press release, the launch party will be held Sunday, Oct. 2 from 3-5 p.m.
 Pink Feathers can be purchased for $12 with proceeds benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s “Passionately Pink for the Cure” program.  The Ratner Family Foundation will match all sales nationally up to $10,000.  Feathers will be sold throughout the month of October at the Westminster salon and at the Hair Cuttery Salon in Sykesville.
 

“We encourage all our Hair Cuttery clients and friends to support this important cause, and be one of the first Carroll Countians to wear this fashion forward feather trend in the month of October,” stated Gail Logue, a Hair Cuttery regional leader, in the event press release.  “This is a disease that touches nearly everyone and the feathers look great with a purple Ravens jersey, so we’re hopeful fans will wear them Sunday night when they watch the game.”