American cancer society pink ribbon

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2002

Zakim Bridge, Prudential Building, Community Arcade and more

illuminated in pink as a beacon of hope

From the Prudential Building to City Hall Plaza, from the Zakim Bridge to the streets of Boston, the American Cancer Society and Mayor Thomas M. Menino are "painting the town pink" to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and the 10th anniversary of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, Oct. 6.

The campaign officially kicks off with a rally on City Hall Plaza on Friday, Oct. 4 at 6:00 p.m., when Mayor Menino throws the "switch" that will illuminate three major city landmarks in pink and proclaims "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Weekend."

Pink feet have already started popping up on city sidewalks and in the windows of businesses all over Boston. FleetBoston Financial and Downtown Crossing Association businesses have joined the campaign, underscoring the city's support for Making Strides. Artist Sidewalk Sam is transforming the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets into awareness-raising art to add to the effort. Dame Edna, in town for a three-week run at the Colonial Theatre, will help in her own special way, and plans to wear a pink ribbon every night onstage, to "remind my possums that I care."

The campaign truly gains momentum when, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, The Gillette Company illuminates its famous South Boston "Gillette" sign in glorious pink and also mounts a giant pink ribbon on the facility's roof in honor of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The sign, which will be illuminated in pink for the entire month of October, marks the first change to the Gillette sign in the company's 100 year history. The Gillette Company, Fleet and Tufts Health Plan are each flagship sponsors of this year's Making Strides Walk.

At the City Hall rally on Oct. 4, scores of American Cancer Society supporters and Making Strides walkers will join Mayor Menino and the flagship sponsors to celebrate the spirit of the walk and welcome the historic pink lighting of the Community Arcade at City Hall Plaza, the north face of the Prudential Building and the span of the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge.

The campaign and celebration will continue throughout the weekend and conclude on Oct. 6 when, after completing the five-mile Making Strides Walk, members of the 10th Anniversary Challenge Team will lead the general public over the Zakim Bridge in the last public bridge walk before it opens for traffic in December.

Every three minutes, a woman in the United States learns that she has breast cancer, making it the leading cause of death among women aged 40-55. The American Cancer Society is fighting every day to eliminate breast cancer in all metropolitan Boston area communities. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that since 1993, when the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk originated, the death rate from breast cancer has declined 23.3% in Massachusetts.

Over 40,000 walkers are expected to take part in the American Cancer Society's 10th anniversary Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade. Making Strides was born in Boston and has grown nationwide to include more than 80 locations, collectively raising over $75 million dollars to fund critical programs in breast cancer research, education, advocacy and patient support. Since 1993, Boston walkers have raised $18.9 million for these important programs. This year, the five-mile walk along the Charles River Esplanade hopes to raise $3.6 million. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is an American Cancer Society signature event during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, non-profit health organization that is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing the disease, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information about Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, or to help paint the town pink, contact your American Cancer Society at 1-877-338-WALK or strides_boston@cancer.org.

Editors Please Note:

Paint the Town Pink Schedule:

September 26 - Dame Edna paints Making Strides feet on sidewalk outside Colonial Theatre

(4:30 p.m.)

September 27 - Sidewalk Sam creates Making Strides mural on corner of Boylston Street/Dartmouth

(10 a.m. - 3 p.m. installation. Pictures at 3:00 p.m.)

October 1 - The Gillette Company mounts giant pink ribbon on South Boston facility (dusk)

October 4 - Rally on City Hall Plaza with Mayor Menino/ Lighting of Zakim Bridge, Prudential Building, Community Arcade in pink (6:00 p.m.)

October 6 - Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Charles River Esplanade, 10th Anniversary Strides team leads walk across Zakim bridge (approx. 10:30 a.m.)