The sight of so much pink can be startling. And while many young boys I know may still think that pink is meant for girls, apparently if a 300-pound NFL linebacker laces up in pink, there’s intrigue and even comfort. Perhaps the kids get to think, “Hey, you’re supporting my mom by doing that.”
Touchdown – Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness month serves up games, walks and shopping opportunities. While these events can sometimes feel like a push to spend, I have learned to value the idea of hanging out with my family for fun after getting through so many surgeries, chemo and infections.
As a culinary student, I regularly volunteered at Project Open Hand doing everything from helping make 400 pounds of meat loaf to delivering to meals with love to clients. I have relatives who have died of cancer, but did not think much about Breast Cancer Awareness Month until my own breast cancer diagnosis in September of 2013, at age 39.
My connection to Project Open Hand deepened when I found support and help across the hall as a client with partnering organization Shanti, and gladly accepted things like a gift card for groceries and taxi vouchers for chemo (when I often wished I could crawl into a dark and safe tunnel to disappear into a deep sleep afterwards). I got a fuller understanding of what it’s like to be in the Bay Area and try to patch together bill payments when you are barely able to work and have surprise infections pop up that lead to middle-of-the-night hospital outings.
Awareness-Awareness
For me, awareness about the causes and marketing behind Breast Cancer Awareness has evolved since well-meaning friends and family would bring me pink-ribboned pendants, scarves jewelry, t-shirts and ball caps when I was first diagnosed.
My son and his pals can easily accept the idea of watching football since they enjoy sports. Me, I’ll sample nachos along with some delicious chicken wings rather than focus on the actual game. In my own way, I am celebrating another month going by. Players from the NFL don pink ribbon socks, pants, helmets and even pink mouth guards to somehow honor those with breast cancer.
In my own way, I am celebrating another month going by.
For these bigger sporty dudes, whether NFL players or WWE John Cena who wrestles in pink socks all month long, to take on cancer, even for just 31 days each year, it means the professional athletes also offer comfort and solace to kiddos who may not be able to articulate the fear and anxiety that cancer brings no matter what month it is. 
Supporting With No Pink Ribbons Attached
Here are a few ways to commemorate breast cancer awareness that don’t involve pink ribbons:
Mail a card via snail mail. If you don’t know what to write, share a funny memory or remind the recipient that you love and / or care for them.
Making or ordering a nice meal is another way to help. I felt so guilty when I lost the energy to cook, and looked forward to meals that were provided by friends near and far. Getting a roasted chicken, green salad, veggie side, crusty bread and chocolate chip cookies delivered helped me get fed in a nutritious way, and each bite reminded me that I was not alone, and that I had so many folks willing to help me and my family get through an unexpected and often sad time.
Offer to take their kid(s) to a football game, movie, park or meal. Knowing my son could be safe with friends so that I could binge-watch TV and snooze on our couch was and is always a gift, and I take folks up on their offers since it also gives my kiddo a break.
Mary Ladd’s writing has appeared in Playboy, Time Magazine, KQED, & San Francisco Weekly. She is currently working on The Wig Report, a hilarious book project with an insiders take on catastrophic illness. Mary went through 22 rounds of chemo, 7 surgeries, 8 infections, 49 blood tests, and completely lost her hair, eyebrows, and 30 pounds… but gained 4 wigs and many fashion finds in the process.