As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues this October, pink streamers and ribbons hang on lampposts and cars all throughout Tuscaloosa, and many local businesses are taking it upon themselves to join in on the cause.
Hungry Howie’s on the Strip is one such business. Now in its fifth year, Hungry Howie’s doles out pink pizza boxes, each of which nets a small donation for breast cancer research through the National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.
“I’ve gotten a few homophobic sayings about the pink boxes, but for the most part, people love them,” Hungry Howie’s manager Kelly Boyle said. “We also sell pink bracelets for a dollar, and they go like hot cakes at this location.”
Certain Panera Bread locations are also selling pink ribbon bagels to raise money for the fight against breast cancer, and restaurants like Hungry Howie’s and Newk’s, who distributed pink cups in September, are not the only establishments joining the festivities.
Studio C Salon, a family-owned hair salon on University Boulevard, sells T-shirts to raise money for breast cancer research.
“We have three themed shirts from years past. We usually have sponsorships, but not this time. We’re giving them out for a dollar donation or more – whatever people can give,” owner Cortney Patton said.
Studio C Salon is also offering to dye customers’ hair pink, with all proceeds going to the nonprofit “Keep Calm and Fight On” organization. Prices are $7 for blondes and $14 for brunettes.
“I have three clients who are survivors, so it hit real close to home. We’ve just heard so many awesome stories,” Patton said. “I think it’s a silent disease. You don’t see symptoms. People don’t get mammograms early enough.”
Additionally, the Tuscaloosa Track Club is holding a 5k Breast Cancer Awareness run at 9 a.m. on Oct. 29. There is no entry fee, but donations are encouraged. The American Cancer Society is also hosting a walk on Nov. 2.
“A lot of people don’t even know this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” Boyle said. “We need to raise awareness and we need to raise money, and a lot of money goes to research. It benefits everyone, not just females.”
