Earlier this year, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force dropped the recommended age for women to start breast cancer screenings from 50 to 40. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Raise money, learn about risk factors and show your support for research, survivors and fighters at these local events.
First Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Survivors and supporters are invited to wear pink or white shirts while they walk and share stories about their experiences with breast cancer. The route starts at South Four Mile Run and ends at the 12th Road courtyard at Barcroft Apartments. Participation is free, and pets are welcome. // 4403 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington
Pink Carpet Event Charity Fashion Show
Oct. 5, 6 p.m.
This eighth annual event is presented by The Pink Carpet Event, a nonprofit that works to bring support, awareness and funding to the fight against breast cancer. The show will feature survivors strutting their stuff on the runway and couture by local fashion designers. Stick around after the show to dance and party with a DJ. A portion of donations from the event will go to the Mary Washington Hospital Breast Cancer Fund. // Falls Church Marriott Fairview Park, 3111 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church
Pink Pilates
Oct. 6, 10 a.m.
Hosted by Bloomingdale’s Tysons Corner, this 45-minute workout will be led by instructors from Solidcore. Keep the yoga mat and sliders, and stay for the PINK Party from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., complete with a DJ and special beauty deals. Tickets cost $15 and go to support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and The Tutu Project, a nonprofit that provides emotional and financial support to breast cancer patients. // 8100 Tysons Corner Center, McLean
Georgetown University’s Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention
Oct. 10, 11:30 a.m.
Attend a breast cancer education session with experts from Georgetown University. The workshop provide an overview of what breast cancer is, how to reduce the risk of developing it, signs and symptoms, and other related topics. // Culmore Family Resource Center, 3304 Culmore Court, Falls Church
Pink Ribbon Glam
Oct. 12, 1-3 p.m.
Learn about breast health, cancer prevention and detection, and new advancements from Robin Williams, a surgical oncologist at Howard University Hospital. Then, pick up a few beauty tips and tricks from makeup artist Natasha Noel-Shankey. The Heart of the Ivy Foundation, a Falls Church nonprofit, will host the event and donate a portion of the $65 ticket fee to a local breast cancer support organization. // 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
9th Annual Walk to Bust Cancer
Oct. 20, 8:30 a.m.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation will host this 1.3-mile loop walk at Alexandria’s Fort Hunt Park to celebrate survivors, support those fighting breast cancer and honor those lost to the disease. Registration for the walk, which is dog-friendly, starts at $35; $15 for children 12 and younger. Last year’s walk raised enough money to provide mammograms for more than 200 women. // 8999 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria
Alpha Breast Cancer Support Service 5K Walk/Run for Every Woman
Oct. 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
In past years, proceeds from this event have supported the purchase of mammography devices to send to Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as financial assistance to cover groceries, bills and babysitters for local, uninsured breast cancer patients. Registration starts at $20. // Barcroft Park, 4200 S. Four Mile Run, Arlington
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Oct. 26, 9 a.m.
Paint the District pink in support of breast cancer fighters, survivors, caregivers and research at this annual American Cancer Society event. Since its inception in 1993, the noncompetitive walk has grown into what the organization says is “the nation’s largest and most impactful breast cancer movement.” The walk takes place in more than 150 cities nationwide, and as of May 2023 had raised more than $80 million. The 2.5-mile D.C. route culminates with dancing, a giant pink chair for photo opps, games, a pink firetruck from Prince George’s County, giveaways, raffles and breast cancer resources. // Tidal Basin, 300 Raoul Wallenberg Place, S.W., Washington, D.C.
Bingo for Breast Cancer Awareness
Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m.
In honor of Arlington County Sheriff’s Office employees who have survived breast cancer, VHC Health will host a bingo night to raise money for the hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center, which offers a range of diagnostic and screening tests. // John T. Hazel Conference Center, 1701 N. George Mason Drive, Arlington