October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – What Are All The Events Going on in Northwest Indiana?

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there are a bunch of events going on around Northwest Indiana to raise awareness and/or funds for research. We want to know: what are all the ways in which you know of a group or person is recognizing this with an event, raising awareness of the challenge, fundraising for a cure, or doing anything to help those lives that have been touched?

If you know of a group doing some good to help raise some funds, awareness, or doing anything, let us know at contribute@portagelife.com!

• Heinold & Feller is hosting a Woman's Day October 20th from 5-7pm to learn more about your car, breast cancer education, and get a little pampered at the same time. Above Board Construction is joining in the fight to find a cure! During the month, spot the pink ABC Power of Pink truck and Above Board Construction will make a contribution to the St. Anthony’s Memorial Breast Center- up to $10,000!

• During the entire month of October, Heinold & Feller Tire Co. & Lawn Equipment will be donating $5.00 of every $29.99 oil change they provide. If you are due for an oil change, schedule it during this time to help a great cause! "I'm excited to be a part of the fight now," exclaims Joe Feller, of Heinold & Feller Tire Co. & Lawn Equipment, "I'm also excited to teach some valuable lessons about cars that everyone, male or female, should know. The ladies that come out should enjoy themselves with the great group of vendors we have who will offer styling tips and massages. You can't go wrong."

• NAPA Auto Parts in Valparaiso is helping to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure with a new Signature Car. Make a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and you can put the name of someone special in your life touched by breast cancer on our #56 NAPA Toyota.

• The Valparaiso Firefighters Local 1124 is partnering with Chili's Restaurant in Valparaiso to support Breast Cancer Awareness! On October 4, 5, and 6, bring a flyer to Chili's (available on VL), for either a dine-in or carry-out order, and 10% of the sale, excluding tax, will be donated to the cause. The firefighters and some staff from the Porter County Cancer Society will be in attendance throughout the day. Just look for those wearing the pink Valparaiso Firefighter Breast Cancer Awareness shirts!

• Join the American Cancer Society on Sunday, October 17, 2010 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5k Walk at the Old Fairgrounds Park Butterfield Pavilion!

• From Larry Tumbleson via Facebook: This event is happening Wednesday night at many theatres in our area. Valpo, Portage, Michigan City, Schererville, etc. Check it out.
  1 a Minute LIVE Supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure
  Location: Nationwide Theaters
  Tickets at: http://www.fathomevents.com/originalprograms/event/1aminute.aspx
  Time: 8:00PM Wednesday, October 6th

• Comfort Keepers is proud to announce our affiliation with the Cleaning For A Reason foundation, providing free housecleaning services to women undergoing treatment for cancer. We contribute time and money to this organization, providing free cleaning services to women during this time of need. To visit their website, go to www.cleaningforareason.org

• Hair Sculptors Salon in Valpo is putting in pink hair extensions for $5 in the month of October. All money made will be donated to breast cancer research.

• Cut Loose Salon in Hobart is putting in pink hair extensions this month, a portion of which will be donated to breast cancer research.  Customers who purchase the pink flairs will also receive a free mouse pad, antenna holder, bracelet, or other item featuring the breast cancer awareness logo.

• La Porte Regional Health System is offering diagnostic screenings mammograms for $95 at La Porte Hospital (219-326-2444), LifePlex Diagnostic Imaging (800-654-4841, ext. 2444), and Starke Memorial Hospital (574-772-1177). The screening mammograms are available from Friday, Oct. 1 to Saturday, Oct. 30. No physician order is required, but patients must provide a name of a physician to forward results. Cash, check or credit/debit card is accepted. In order to offer this service at a discount, we will not bill insurance.
• Region CrossFit via Facebook: Come out and join REGION CROSSFIT on October 30, 2010 at 9-11am to support MAMAGRAMS IN ACTION...Go towww.barbellsforboobs.com to donate or register for the workout "AMAZING GRACE" get a T-shirt and sweat for a cause. www.regioncrossfit.com

• The Indiana University Northwest Office of Student Life and Athletics will host the Big Pink Ball Volleyball Tournament on Tuesday, Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Savannah Gym. The tournament will help to promote awareness about breast cancer.  All students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to join in the fun, where participants will play volleyball with an oversized inflatable pink ball. Teams are intended to be co-ed but all-male or all-female teams may also participate. Games will be single elimination.

  Participants are asked to make a $3 donation to play in the tournament. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a national organization dedicated to education and research of the cause and treatment of breast cancer, and the search for a cure. Teams interested in participating can sign up in the Moraine Student Center. The Savannah Gym is located at the southeast corner of the main campus parking lot at 33rd Avenue and Broadway in Gary. Free parking is available in the main campus lot.