October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are several of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities for 2012 to go pink in and around Maple Grove. 

• The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove will once again host the Girls Night Out to benefit Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Oct. 4. Preregistration is required, space can be limited. The cost is $10 with all of the proceeds going to the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer.

• The Breast Cancer Awareness Association will have their annual education conference Oct. 6 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in St. Paul. Cost is $45 for full day registration, $30 for for breast cancer survivors.

• The American Cancer Society hosts the 2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer at Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis Oct. 13.

• The Healthy Life Expo takes place Oct. 20-21 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

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.

TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.

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