Lighting the Morrison Bridge for Breast Cancer

Published 6:54am on 19 Oct 2020

BREAST CANCER ORGANIZATIONS UNITE TO TURN MORRISON BRIDGE PINK FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

VANCOUVER, WA and PORTLAND, OR (October XX, 2020) Local, passionate breast cancer fighting organizations have joined together to turn the Morrison Bridge PINK during this Octobers Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since large-scale events cannot be held right now, the goal is to show a very visual reminder about the importance of breast health, screening mammograms, support programs, financial assistance for treatment, and local breast cancer research.  

Newly released data from the National Cancer Institute and others show that there has been a dramatic drop in screening mammograms since March 2020, partly due to individuals concerns about exposure to the COVID-19 virus. The Portland-Vancouver area is home to many respected breast cancer support organizations and we want to work together this year to get the word out across the community about the importance of breast cancer services, said Susan Stearns, CEO of Pink Lemonade Project.

Earlier cancer detection is important and improves the clinical outcome for patients, and maintaining regular mammograms is critical. The recent research explains that reduced screening exams and lower rates of diagnoses will result in a future increase in patients with later-stage cancers, increased demand for cancer procedures, and even likely higher rates of breast-cancer related deaths.

This year is a particularly important year for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and for getting with word out about breast health and breast cancer risks. We collectively encourage individuals to contact their provider for a health screening mammogram or if they have a breast health concern.

Partnering organizations include:

American Cancer Society/Making Strides

Breast Friends

Catch-22

Fighting Pretty

Susan G. Komen Oregon and Southwest Washington

Pink Lemonade Project

Pink Phoenix

Pink Sistas

Row for the Cure/Station L

Oregon Women's Sailing Association/Set Sail for the Cause

We have made progress with this disease over the years and do not want to go backwards. The pandemic has been hard on individuals and organizations, but we are stronger by working together. It is time to combine forces and show the broader breast cancer community how we can work together to help beat this disease,said Stearns. Kathy Frederick, Founder of Row for the Cure added I have had a vision for lighting the bridge pink for years and this seemed like right year for all these groups to come together to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

To learn more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this collaboration, contact:

Susan Stearns, CEO, Pink Lemonade Project at 360-771-9403 or susan@pinklemonadeproject.org 

Ann Berryman, Director of Development & Communications, Susan G. Komen Oregon and SW Washington at 503-799-4930 or aberryman@komenoregon.org