Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events in Loudoun

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause.

Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in Loudoun County and beyond:

• A breast cancer education and survivor retreat is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at Inova Loudoun Hospital, conference rooms A and B, 44045 Riverside Parkway, Leesburg, Va. THe event is sponsored by The American Cancer Society, The Loudoun Breast Health Network (LBHN), Inova Breast Care Institute and Inova Loudoun Hospital

• The Loudoun Breast Health Network (LBHN) is also planning the Fourth Annual Breast Cancer Tea & Fashion Show for Survivors and Friends from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 13.  Dr. Virginia Chiantella, a Loudoun breast surgeon, will be the speaker at the event, also sponsored by the Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Store. Tickets are $20.
• The "Fight Like a Girl" Challenge Basketball Tournament for girls in fourth through 12th grades will take place from Oct. 13 to 14 thrughout Loudoun County. The cost is $350 per team, with a guarantee of three games. A percentage of the profits from the tournament will go to the Loudoun Breast Health Network.

In addition to these Loudoun County events, Virginia residents will be participating in the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer in Alexandria, VA. And if you’re in the market for a wedding dress, or just enjoy wedding fashion, then mark your calendar for Brides Against Breast Cancer's wedding dress fashion show in Baltimore, MD. 

There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure.

Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise and it’s a twofer — retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects millions.

You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The agency has raised $75 million so far for research programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

The American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is organized nationwide and so far more than 8 million people have walked for this cause and raised about $460 million.

And you can join people from four continents in a Race for the Cure event organized by Susan G. Komen For The Cure, or an Avon Walk For Breast Cancer event organized by the Avon Foundation for Women.

TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.