City Celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness

It’s time to think pink—pink chocolate, bagels, hair weaves and sheets—because, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Queens Community and local businesses are in a fight to save lives.

Like in the Bay Terrace shopping center, currently featuring a ‘Pink Ribbon’ bagel—a sour dough based bagel with dried cherries, cranberries, white vanilla chips, folded into a ribbon, then sprinkled with white cherry powder.

One hundred percent of all Pink Ribbon bagel sales made on October 30, and then a percentage of sales made thereafter, will go to benefit cancer research and raise awareness about Breast Cancer.

“We are thrilled when a company decides to paint its building pink or when they allow women to take time off work for a mammogram or encourage them to get more information about breast cancer,” said Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer for the American Cancer Society.

And Panera’s not alone in their efforts to raise awareness and fund research.

Other establishments in the Queens Restaurant community are also thinking pink and serving it up too, by participating in the ‘Be an epiCUREan’ campaign, helping to raise money for cancer causes.

From now until the end of October, some restaurants will feature a “pink” item identified on their menus, and whenever the item is ordered, the breast cancer piggy bank gets a donation.

One such participant is SHI Restaurant located at 47-20 Center Blvd., in Long Island City, which plans to donate 25 percent of all proceeds from the sale of their Pink Hope Specialty Drink from October 2 to 8.

"Every one of us knows someone who unfortunately either had cancer or is battling cancer. For me it's personal," said Amy Chin, a manager at Shi Restaurant.

Personal indeed, agreed Music, who lost her mother to breast cancer and stressed the importance of early detection.

“I want women to know the facts so we can end this once and for all,” she said.

Joining Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the push to raise awareness, the New York City skyline will light up the autumn nights with more than 40 buildings participating in City in Pink.

Are you a survivor? Do you have a story to share? Patch wants to give you a place to inspire and encourage each other. Send us your photos of those 5ks, pink parties, dog walks and luncheons. Heading to get a mammogram with your friend, sister, coworker or daughter? Snap a photo before you go, and send it our way!