~ Guest Commentary ~ We All Need To Wear Pink In The Fight Against Breast Cancer

By Sal Giarratani

Every October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month across this country of ours and has been since October 1985. It is a time for all of us to unite in a colorful display of solidarity and commitment to ending the scourge of breast cancer. It is also a time to honor all those survivors still with us, to remember those lost to this disease and to support progress being made together by so many to defeat breast cancer.

About 15 years ago, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with this disease and here we are today and my friend remains cancer free. However, like the many stories I have heard by survivors, my friend probably knows that her life is now different. She now has two lives, the one before cancer and the second life she now lives.

Back on Sunday, October 5 over by the Charles River, hundreds marched in the Masking Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. The day started off rainy but the sun did prevail in the afternoon. Gloomy skies turned hopeful that day as the sun broke through during the walk. All the donations raised that day went to the American Cancer Society.

October becoming Breast Cancer Awareness Month because so many came together to make it happen like police departments across the country who go pink for the month. Locally, in the City of Revere, last week I passed by the Revere Police Headquarters and saw that cool looking pink-colored police SUV cruiser parked facing traffic going by on Revere Beach Parkway.

Over in Quincy, the Police Department there did a Pink Patch Project and raised funds through the month selling pink-colored merchandise. Recently, over in Quincy while driving on Wollaston Boulevard by the beach, I noticed a Massachusetts State Police vehicle painted all pink for the month too.

We can beat Breast Cancer by continuing the fight one community at a time and teaming up together in a cause worth fighting.