LIHU‘E — Pink is the island color of Maui that was recently heavily impacted by wildfires. Pink is also the color of Breast Cancer Awareness Month that starts on Saturday, when the Kaua‘i Committee on the Status of Women are getting “pink’d on purpose” through the month of October to promote breast cancer awareness.
“Wear pink when you come on Monday,” said Edie Ignacio Neumiller, the Kaua‘i representative to the Hawai‘i Commission on the Status of Women. “The public is invited to join the KCSW for a Breast Cancer Awareness walk that will start at 11:30 a.m. at the Mo‘ikeha Building Rotunda. That means anyone can join us. Just wear pink.”
Bev Brody, of Get Fit Kaua‘i, will start the event rolling with an energetic warmup ahead of the group walk along Kuhio Highway to Wilcox Medical Center and returning to the rotunda.
Walk participants are encouraged to wear anything in the color pink to show their support of those affected w2ith breast cancer, and to remind women of the importance of early detection.
Walkers should also have comfortable walking shoes, visors, hats or umbrellas as a hedge against the weather. The National Weather Service is predicting partly sunny with a high near 85 degrees, and an east wind around 9 mph.
Healthy refreshments will be provided before and after the walk.
“Building awareness is important, but taking action is essential,” said KCSW Secretary Regina Carvalho. “Breast cancer is not selective and affects men, too. Statistics show that one out of eight women will be affected by this disease in their lifetime. We encourage women, and men, to do monthly self-breast exams, and yearly screenings. Early detection is key, and may save your life.”
During the month of October, the historic County Building, and the Lihu‘e Civic Center Mo‘ikeha Building will be illuminated at night by pink lights.
Additionally, numerous community groups and community sporting groups, such as the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League and the Kaua‘i Officials Association, don items of pink to demonstrate their support of October being celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
