When the month of October rolls around, many people are excited for the spooky season, the haunted houses, pumpkin patches and festivities. However, many of us will look at October as a month where we honor the fighters, survivors and those taken by the terrible and deadly disease, breast cancer. 

Most women will develop a lump on their chest. Breast cancer is not preventable, but there is treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation and even surgery are all ways to stop the illness from spreading. Many women will lose their hair during chemotherapy treatment. They can lose their appetite and feel exhausted from the therapy too. 

Each year in the United States about 264,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer and about 42,000 people will pass away from it. Breast Cancer Awareness month is a month where support is shown through wearing the color pink in honor of the women and families affected. 

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that women should get a routine mammogram every two years. Staying on top of these checkups can hopefully help catch the disease early on if diagnosed.

Many schools and organizations spread awareness by fundraising. Every year the cheerleaders sell pink out merchandise to students, staff and community members. All proceeds are donated to an organization to help provide resources for cancer. On top of the cheerleaders, many students in the district have had their own fundraisers as well. Whether it was for their senior project, or just to raise money for a cause. 

Many members of the community are affected by breast cancer every day. Many have had to say their goodbyes to their loved ones, are currently standing by their sides or watched them fight through the disease to being in remission. Even while in remission, you are still trying to gain back what has been lost; hair, strength, or more.

“My mom getting diagnosed was a big change to our family, because we didn’t really realize how much she did around the house until she couldn’t do it anymore,” junior Morgan Keller said.

 While fighting cancer and going through treatment it can take everything out of the person going through it all. 

“We all had to step up and help, and it was even a big change for her too,” Keller said. 

There is no way to prevent breast cancer and there’s no way to know who will be diagnosed with it. Throughout the years, many people from the community have come together to support the women who have fought through the disease, and to honor the ones who have passed away from it.