October — a month rich in warm-hued leaves, pumpkin-flavored drinks, cool weather, and…pink? Pink! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every month in America is dedicated to various issues and prominent subjects throughout the nation; for example, January specifically raises awareness of glaucoma, February is Black History Month, March is Women’s History Month, April is Autism Awareness Month, November is Adoption Awareness Month, and so on.

    This month, many schools and workplaces nationwide hold events to increase awareness of breast cancer, which is represented by a pink ribbon.

    My school holds an annual Denim Day each October to raise funds for breast cancer research centers. Because students are required to wear uniforms every day, it’s a win-win situation on Denim Day: Students donate three dollars or more to charity, and in turn, they are permitted to wear pink and denim (jean material) for the day.

    Denim Day has become arguably one of the most popular days of the school year — virtually all the girls in my school will get dressed in as much pink and denim as they can find. At every lunch period, the best-dressed students face off in a hilarious fashion show, and the homeroom that donated the most money receives a sweet sorbet party. This year’s goal was to raise US$2,500 for breastcancer.org, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer.

    There are many other methods by which awareness is raised for breast cancer throughout the month of October. Many schools will host “pink” football, soccer, or hockey games.

    Flyers and advertisements will appear every which way — online, on bulletin boards, on television — encouraging self-checks for breast cancer, listing possible symptoms, and providing chilling statistics: One in eight women will develop breast cancer.

    Each year, hundreds of thousands of dollars are raised and directed to solving problems plaguing the nation and the world. Even though one person’s contribution may seem silly, donating five bucks and dying his or her hair pink, every act and every cent makes a difference.