In October, pink is a predominant color in shop windows, clothing and in our newspaper. Pink is the adopted color of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Already in 2009, 713,220 women have been diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Almost all of us have been touched by the disease whether directly with our own diagnosis or with the diagnosis of a loved one.

Throughout the month several events take place as awareness campaigns or fundraisers for the Cinderella Shop, which provides wigs and prosthesis for chemo/surgery patients, and Newton Medical Center’s Women’s Diagnostic Center.

Around the square you can see photographs of beautiful local women. All are breast cancer survivors involved in the project Portraits of Hope. The portraits along with the women’s personal story of survival stand as encouragement to the newly diagnosed that they are not alone and that they can overcome the emotional and physical hardships caused by the disease.

A Portraits of Hope reception will be held on Oct. 29.

On Oct. 6 at 11:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church, the diagnostic center and NMC Auxiliary will host a fashion show to benefit what the center does for patients and survivors. Tickets are $10 and include lunch; buy tickets at the NMC gift shop, Cinderella Shop in Morgan Plaza, diagnostic center or the volunteer services office.

Early detection is important to surviving; fundraising is essential for finding a cure.