October proved to be a busy month for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Local businesses participated in a storefront contest, decorating with pink and white ribbons, balloons and other items for the Paint the Town Pink event. They also gave discounts for those who wore pink attire, as well as encouraged their employees to wear pink, raising yet more awareness for breast cancer. A fundraiser to raise awareness for the disease that will kill 40,000 women in the U.S. this year, Darleen’s Flamingo 5K Run, was also held in the Smithton Community of Beaufort County. Money raised for the event and through the Paint the Town Pink event went to the Marion L. Shephard Cancer Center of Washington, a local organization that provides financing and other support for cancer patients, survivors and their families.

One of the significant things about the events centered around raising funds and awareness for breast cancer — or cancer, in general — is the vast amount of volunteers and participants that do not have cancer. However, they still give their time to aid in an initiative that could, potentially, affect them one day, whether through direct diagnosis or diagnosis of a family member or friend.

It is important for community residents to chip in on initiatives like this because anyone could, at any given time, be diagnosed with cancer. Offering support and doing one’s part to raise money to go to organizations like the Shephard Cancer Center could benefit that individual down the road. Often, people don’t think about these initiatives and fundraiser because now, they don’t need services or funds given by the Center. But one day, they very well might need those services or funds.

That is why it is vital that the entire community do their part to support those who are struggling with cancer now. Anyone, at any given time, could need that support.