UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's "Old Main" building will be bathed in pink light Oct. 1-15 to honor the thousands of women lost to breast cancer each year and the hundreds of thousands who are surviving.

The local event, organized by the Appalachia Cancer Network (ACN) in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, is part of the "Illuminate Pennsylvania Campaign," an effort to educate the public about breast cancer.

"Nine of the Appalachia Cancer Network's community cancer coalitions -- which include nearly 250 participants from 50 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties -- are contributing to the campaign," says ACN project manager Diana Ohl. "Our coalitions in Crawford, Clearfield, Elk, Green, Snyder, Allegheny and Susquehanna counties, as well as Delaware County in N.Y., have invested in this enlightening initiative. The goal is to raise awareness of the important role that early detection plays in defeating breast cancer."

Illuminated buildings across the state will include the State Capitol, county courthouses, offices of state senators and representatives, hospitals and medical facilities and various community businesses and organizations, including Penn State Cooperative Extension.

KePRO, the state's Medicare Peer Review Organization, initiated the campaign as an extension of the Estee Lauder Foundation's international effort for breast cancer awareness, in which prominent buildings and historical landmarks are floodlighted with pink lighting.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed issued proclamations naming October 2001 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They encourage citizens to join in by educating themselves and loved ones about breast cancer.

"Early detection and treatment are the best defense against the effects of breast cancer," says Lisa Davis, vice president of the Centre County Breast Cancer Coalition, an organization devoted to raising funds to support mammograms for women in the county who are uninsured or underinsured.

"This effort will raise awareness of the importance of good breast health and all partners should be congratulated for their hard work. The illumination of Old Main is an outstanding example of the university's commitment to the community."

Another event taking place across the state in October is the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" 5K walk. Pennsylvania's First Lady Michele Ridge serves as honorary chairperson. State College's walk will take place on Saturday, Oct. 13, starting at Penn State's Intramural Building.

Register now by calling Leslie Richner at the American Cancer Society at 814-238-8908, or register the morning of the walk. Registration starts at 9 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. The walk begins at 11 a.m.

"Teams are encouraged to participate, but individuals may walk as well," Richner says. "There is no set registration fee, but we are asking that all participants set a goal to raise $100 per person, which will earn them an event T-shirt. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society's breast cancer research, breast cancer education, advocacy and patient services."

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EDITORS: Ann Ward, ACN Project Director, can be reached at 814-863-8693.

Contact:

Kim Dionis kdionis@psu.edu 814-863-2703 814-865-1068 fax