October was a busy, yet fun-filled month for Komen Idaho as we celebrated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout the State! We had events and activities taking place from Coeur d’Alene to Emmett and Rupert to Kuna. Needless to say we felt the support and kindness of Idahoans all month long!

Education events are an important part of October for Komen Idaho.  We held education tables at the CDA Tribe Wellness Fair, Meridian United Methodist Church Pink Out Sunday, and Paul’s Market in Kuna. We also gave breast cancer presentations to the State of Idaho employees and a community presentation at Walter Knox Memorial Hospital in Emmett. Finally we hosted a community event in McCall to inform the public about the work Komen Idaho does and the funds available for women to get screened.

Our grantees also took part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. St. Luke’s hosted Joyful Living Beyond Breast Cancer and The Cancer Connection Idaho hosted Take Charge, Be Healthy.  We did site visits with some of our grantees to see the amazing work they are doing in the fight against breast cancer.  We visited St. Luke’s McCall, North Canyon Medical Center in Gooding, St. Luke’s Wood River in Ketchum, and Minidoka Memorial Hospital in Rupert.

Fundraising is also an important aspect of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  This October Komen Idaho launched Screentober, Get a Mammogram, Give a Mammogram program.  We encouraged women to get their screening mammogram and donate money for uninsured and underinsured women to get a screening mammogram.  We raised over $1,300 for women in need. We also raised money with our third party and cause related marketing events.  These events are hosted by local businesses and raise money for Komen Idaho.  This October our community partners hosted Bootcamp for the Cure (Fitness Revolution), Coffee for the Cure (The Human Bean), Dillard’s and Macy’s Fit for the Cure (Walcoal), Joe’s Crab Shack, and Splash Get Your Pink On Ladies Night. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful community and corporate partners.

Middleton High School hosted the annual pink out events again this year.  Over the past four years Middleton High School has raised over $8,600 for Komen Idaho! A new fundraising event this year came to us from The Ohio State Alumni Associate.  During The Ohio State/Penn State football game, both Alumni Associations in the Treasure Valley collected money for Komen Idaho (they passed a bucket with each score and it was a good game). Their watch party was a Beef O’Bradys and included raffle items and good fun!

Thanks to everyone who helped Komen Idaho celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  You all are the reason we do what we do and each of you contribute to the fight against breast cancer!