The Town of Miami Lakes has declared October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, going pink for 31 days to bring awareness to a disease that has taken the lives of many women each year.
At a regular Town Council meeting last month, councilmembers approved Mayor Wayne Slaton and Councilmember Nelson Rodriguez’s request to proclaim October as the month to help women prevent breast cancer by encouraging them to get a screening.
A screening looks for cancer before a person has any symptoms, which can help find cancer at an early stage that can be cured through treatment.
During the month of October, Miami Lakes will be participating in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides of Miami-Dade, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 11.
The event consists of a team to walk during the event, as Miami Lakes is inviting town employees and residents to join the group and walk together.
Miami Lakes will also encourage residents and key community stakeholders to observe this month by generating awareness and supporting local programs that serve people who are battling the disease.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Disease and Health Promotion, breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer among women. About one in eight women born today in the United States will live with this disease at some point in their lives.
“In commemoration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I would like to proclaim the month of October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” in the Town of Miami Lakes,” Slaton said at the meeting.