Residents from Chicopee raise the flag to commemorate breast cancer awareness month.
Reminder Publishing photos by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — On Oct. 11, many gathered in Chicopee to experience the Breast Cancer Awareness flag raising ceremony and show their support.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a global health campaign that takes place every October to promote early breast cancer detection, screening and prevention. The pink ribbon and color associated with the month symbolize solidarity with those affected by breast cancer and the importance of supporting awareness and education.
Mayor John Vieau talked about the special event.
He said, “We’re here to raise awareness for breast cancer. Today is not just about wearing pink, it’s about education, it’s about support and it’s about hope for those who are affected by this devastating disease. It’s the role of communities like Chicopee to help spread that awareness. Let us come together as a community, as the city of Chicopee to fight breast cancer through awareness, support and commitment to progress and only together we can make a difference.”
The event emphasized the importance of early detection and self-exams.
According to the CDC statistics, around 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women this year, alongside 56,500 cases of non-invasive breast cancer with approximately 42,250 estimated to lose their battle with this disease in 2024.
Guest speakers also echoed that men are also at risk, with approximately 2,800 cases expected among men this year.
Early detection is key, with a 99% 5-year survival rate if breast cancer is caught early before spreading beyond the breast.
Vieau talked about early detection and survivability rates going up and said, “That’s something I think we need to note because of the fact that there’s so much awareness and there’s so much generosity from communities like Chicopee, Western Massachusetts, the commonwealth, for those who donate in an attempt to help not just to raise awareness but to find a cure. One of the things that I think it’s important to mention is early detection. It’s increasing survival rates.”
One of the main reasons for any flag raising is to raise awareness of a situation and the message of each speaker was to get checked regularly.
Vieau said, “The reason why we do things like this is also to support those who are affected by breast cancer. Expressing support for those patients and survivors in the community, recognizing the emotional and physical and financial toll breast cancer takes on individuals and families is super important and encouraging local residents to support those affected through acts of kindness, community involvement and participation in local events.”
Vieau said he will be participating in the 31st annual Rays of Hope walk/run which helps raise funds and awareness to fight breast cancer. It has brought in more than $17.2 million over 30 years to Western Massachusetts in support of breast cancer care, research and education.
The event is taking place on Sunday, Oct. 27 in Springfield. Those looking to make a team, get involved or donate can do so at www.baystatehealth.org/events/rays-of-hope.
State Rep. Shirley Arriaga (D-Chicopee) was at the event to not only show her support but talk about the importance of getting checked and taking the necessary steps to fight breast cancer.
She said, “It’s definitely important to raise awareness to a lot of different issues but today in particular we’re talking about breast cancer. Just quickly googling it, 360,000 individuals will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. That is way too many people. Any one person is too much but 360,000. This is becoming more and more prevalent and more common and it is one of the most aggressive cancers there are. While advancement in medicine is ongoing, early detection is key for survivability.”
State Sen. Adam Gomez (D-Springfield) shared a story about losing his friend in high school who died of breast cancer. He used this story to show the importance that not only women should get checked for breast cancer.
He said, “As we raise this flag today, I’m going to be remembering my friend. This conversation sometimes, a lot of men don’t understand that they can contract breast cancer too. Outside of our women’s community, I encourage our men’s community to really go out and get tested as well and to not feel that you guys are in the dark as well because the stigma that this can’t happen to us.”
