Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2009 round-up

October is breast cancer awareness month and Chicago organizations continue to be relentless in their efforts to educate and raise money to beat the disease. Here's the 411 on breast cancer plus a round-up of fundraising events going on throughout the city plus bar and restaurant deals, even gadgets.

The facts

• According to the American Cancer Society, more than 200,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer this year.

• In Illinois this year, there will be 8,078 new cases of breast cancer 8,078 and 905 new cases of ovarian cancer. There will also be 1,687 breast cancer deaths and 613 ovarian cancer deaths.

• Up to ten percent of these cases will be due to an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. These genes can be detected by a simple blood test, which then allows women to make more informed healthcare choices. Women who carry one of these gene mutations have up to an 87 percent risk of developing breast cancer and up to a 44 percent risk of developing ovarian cancer.

What you can do

October is packed full of events, promotions and initiatives to help promote breast cancer awareness and raise money for charities that support research.

For the month of October, Chicago’s Peninsula Hotel, 108 East Superior Street, (312-573-6695) and The Peninsula Spa by ESPA (312-573-6860) will be pretty in pink. The front entrance and the hotel’s name will be backlit with pink lighting to promote breast cancer awareness. The Peninsula also has many initiatives built into its everyday operation that will help fund the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation:
•   $2 for every afternoon tea sold will go to the foundation, including a pink tea sold just in the afternoon this month. While sipping enjoy a string trio and some pastries, Mon.-Sat. 3pm-5pm and Sun. 4pm-6pm.
•   October 20-24 enjoy an informal fashion show with afternoon tea as Fashion Focus Chicago features designs from some of Chicago’s best boutiques, retailers and jewelry designers.
•   $2 for every guest experiencing the hotel’s Chocolate at the Pen, which includes decadent homemade chocolate desserts and treats.
•    $5 will be donated from each guest’s check at two of the hotel’s restaurants, Avenues or Shanghai Terrace when diners mention the breast cancer awareness campaign.
•    $5 for every one-hour or more treatment from The Peninsula Spa will be donated when guest mention the breast cancer awareness campaign.
•    Guest who dine and get a spa treatment may personally donate to the charity via their guest check. The hotel will send the donation on the guest’s behalf.

On Friday, Oct. 9 Hard Rock Hotel, 230 N Michigan Ave (312-345-1000) is teaming up with Bright Pink, a non-profit organization that provides education and support to women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer to present, “The Power of Pink.” The event gets uncorked with Moet & Chandon and decadent desserts. Later in the evening, guests are invited to bid on auction items from some of Chicago’s well-known places. All proceeds of the event will benefit Bright Pink.

If you are thinking about walking for the cause, Keds has created a limited-edition Pink Ribbon Champion. 100% of the sales from this shoe benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. $40, available only at keds.com.

Tons of spas and salons are offering great services for only $31 during the entire month of October—visit prettycity.com for complete listings.

Do you have good taste? If not, Wine Discount Center and Tattoo Wines do. The two vineyard vendors have paired up to participate in the Lynn Sage Foundation’s Chicago In Good Taste, a campaign to promote breast cancer awareness. Together they will contribute $2 for every bottle of wine sold.

Several breast cancer awareness advocacy groups around Chicago are presenting Many Faces of Breast Cancer, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6:30pm-8:30pm. This symposium seeks to educate women of their risk to breast cancer, treatments and information to support the growing community of breast cancer survivors. Wyndham Chicago, 633 N. St. Clair Street. To register, call 1-877-267-2316 or e-mail ManyFacesChicago@zenogroupevents.com.

Bar & restaurant deals

Many urban and suburban bars and restaurants are taking part in breast cancer awareness by offering specials during the month of October and donating proceeds. Call ahead or check online for details from Rockit Bar & Grill, The Motel Bar, Eivissa: Pintxos, Tapas and Sangria Restaurant, Luxbar, Rise-Sushi and Sake Lounge, Shine- Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar, Tapas Valencia, Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse, Hugo’s Frog Bar, Carlucci Restaurant, Durty Nellie’s, Duke’s AleHouse and Kitchen, Meson Sabika, Public Landing Restaurant and Banquet Center and Arrowhead Golf Course Restaurant.

Gadgets
Cableorganizer.com has come out with a slew of little gadgets that are practical and supportive of Pinktober, the unofficial alias of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The company is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of pink-products ($1.00 for each unit sold) to The Donna Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds to meet the critical needs of women living with breast cancer.