(KWES) - Saturday marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to bringing awareness to the most common cancer in women.
Local organizations are coming together to hold events all through the month of October to remind women to take steps to detect the disease in its early stages.
One in eight, that's how many women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. A man's risk is about 1 in 1,000.
The five-year survival rate for women with stage 0 or stage I breast cancer is close to 100 percent. The survival rate goes down as the stage number goes up.
The Basin Breast Cancer Coalition said it's all about early detection.
"Twelve organizations out there saying get your mammogram is just a powerful powerful thing," said Betsy Triplett-Hurt.
"It's just taking care of yourself. It's just a matter of getting out there. It could save your life," said Cynthia Acosta with the Gifts of Hope in Midland.
Acosta is living with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer. Acosta is among the small percentage of people that the disease goes undetected in.
"I think that it's important for us to be apart of that advocating to say, 'Hey, even if it did not work for me. I still want you to get out there," said Acosta.
That's what the Basin Breast Cancer Coalition is all about. Their mission is to educate women and supporting those who are dealing with the disease.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the coalition will hold events throughout Midland and Odessa. Proceeds from the events will go to the organization that hosts the event.
Breast Cancer Awareness Events:
MCH "Mammo Madness"
MCH Cone Building
8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
All month
For more information, call (432) 640-4208
Oct. 1: MCH's Permian Basin Health Fair
Ector Co. Coliseum, Barn G
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
All organizations
Oct. 3: TTUHSC Healthy Texas Women
800 W 4th St. - Odessa
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Any woman needing breast or cervical cancer screening
For more information, call (432) 703-5054
Oct. 4 Pink The Basin's Luncheon
Horseshoe Pavilion - Midland
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
For more information, call (432) 940-PINK
Oct. 7 Balloon Release
American Legion
Dusk
Gifts of Hope-Midland
For more information, call (432) 218-8714
Oct. 8 MMH's Pink The Basin Motorcycle Ride
Legacy Harley-Davidson - Odessa
8 a.m. -1 p.m.
Pink The Basin
For more information, call (432) 221-3426
Oct. 8 BCA Chili & BBQ Cook-Off
American Legion Midland
All day
Gifts of Hope-Midland
For more information, call (432) 557-0044
Oct. 9 West Texas Gifts of Hope Pink The Park
Memorial Gardens
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
For more information, call (432) 614-9284
Oct. 10 TTUHSC Healthy Texas Women
800 W 4th St. - Odessa
6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Any woman needing breast or cervical cancer screening
For more information, call (432) 703-5054
Oct. 14 Saving True Pairs Clay Shoot
Jake's Clays - Stanton
All Day
For more information, call (432) 557-7391
Oct. 15 Gifts of Hope, Kyotee Screenprinting & Embroidery & The Midland Fire Dept's Pink the Park
Grafa Park- Midland
9 a.m. – Noon
For more information, call (432) 218-8714
Oct. 21 National Mammography Day
Everyone is encouraged to wear pink
Oct. 22 UTPB Falcon Pink Out Football Game
Grande Communications Stadium - Midland
7 p.m.
Pink The Basin
For more information, call (432) 552-3678
Oct. 23 Bundling Up The Bosoms Car Show
Classic Honda Midland
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Pink The Basin
For more information, call (432) 681-1400
Oct. 29 Pink the Ranch Golf Tournament
Ranchland Hills Golf Club
12 p.m.
American Cancer Society
For more information, call (432) 683-6375
