Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events in Matawan and Aberdeen

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in Holmdel, Hazlet and beyond:

• On Oct. 12, dine with Esposito's in Matawan and a percentage of your purchase will be donated to the Karen Mullen Breast Cancer Foundation, a 501(c)3 charity that funds research, as part of the annual, nationwide Slice of Hope fundraiser. 

• D'Bella Salon, located on Matawan Road in the Townsquare Shopping Center, is offering hair cuts for $20 for both ladies and gents on Sunday, Oct. 14. All of the money raised during the event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

• On Oct. 2, Keyport's 32 West Salon will have free donuts and coffee in the morning and wine and cheese in the afternoon. Come by and get for a $10 PINK Hair Extension or a $1 Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet. All of the proceeds will be donated to the cause. 32 West is open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will offer hair extensions and bracelets throughout the month. Find them on Facebook here.

• The Matawan Aberdeen Middle School Student Council will be selling Pink Ribbon Lollipops and Pink Ribbons for $1 each throughout October to help raise money for the fight against breast cancer. If you have a middle school student, remind him or her to wear pink for Pink Day on Oct. 5.

In addition to these Matawan and Aberdeen events, residents will be participating in events throughout New Jersey, including:

• Participate or donate in the 2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Point Pleasant on Oct. 21. Sign up or make a donation here.

• Have a thermography screening. Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging 'DITI' is a 15 minute non-invasive test of physiology that involves no radiation, touching or squeezing. It is a procedure that may alert your doctor to changes that may indicate early stages of breast disease.

• Learn healthy nutrition for prevention. Explore the best foods to include in your life to aid with breast cancer prevention through a fun, informative talk and cooking demonstration. 

• Attend a breast cancer awareness tea at Hazlet Meridian Fitness and Wellness. Bring a friend for afternoon tea and learn about the importance of self examination and screening from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 3.

There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure.

Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise and it’s a twofer — retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects millions.

You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The agency has raised $75 million so far for research programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

The American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is organized nationwide and so far more than 8 million people have walked for this cause and raised about $460 million.

And you can join people from four continents in a Race for the Cure event organized by Susan G. Komen For The Cure, or an Avon Walk For Breast Cancer event organized by the Avon Foundation for Women.

There’s also the 5K walk/run organized by the Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer in New York.  You could help raise money for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation by signing up for their 5K walk in Rhode Island. There is also the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer in Alexandria, VA. And the PA Breast Cancer Coalition in Pennsylvania has walks and running events almost every Saturday in October.

TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support the fight against breast cancer that we missed? Share them in the comment section below.