Macon 'thinks pink' for Knit-A-Tit-A-Thon

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month, and all around the city of Macon, businesses and individuals are doing their part to help raise awareness of and money for breast cancer.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the organization most associated with Breast Cancer, and on this past Saturday, the annual central Georgia Race for the Cure took place in Central City Park, here in downtown Macon. It was a 5k run/ walk down the streets of Macon, preceded by a Celebration Walk, supporting Breast Cancer survivors and their friends and family.
Approximately 2,739 people were registered, with 136 different teams, all racing for a cure to Breast Cancer.
Some of the business sponsors included Kroger, Belk, The Macon Telegraph, Coca Cola and many healthcare centers around the Macon area.
For those who did not like to wake up before 9:00 a.m. to run/walk a 5k, the Komen Race for the Cure included a Sleep in for the Cure option, letting non-runners register and receive their t-shirt without having to run in the race.
Another local Breast Cancer event occurred at The Shoppes at River Crossing. Beginning Friday, October 7th to Friday, October 15th, there was a Pink Promise Zone at River Crossing: an informative, entertaining and interactive station, said macon.com. The Pink Zone was located in The Village Green Area, where shoppers were asked to sign a “promise card” which included tips for improved breast health.
For each card, The Shoppes promised to donate $1 toward the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.
On Saturday, October 8th, The Shoppes hosted a Think Pink Family Festival with “children’s entertainment, music, street performances, and other activities for the whole family,” reported macon.com.
There was also the opportunity to give donations for Breast Cancer research and awareness.
Finally, on October 21 and 22 a local yarn, knitting and crochet store called Creative Yarns will be hosting their third annual Knit-A-Tit-A-Thon. From 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, they knitted breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomies.
Last year, Creative Yarns was able to make and donate over 100 prostheses to local hospitals and oncology centers.
On Friday and Saturday, local merchants provided door prizes to be given out every hour, and food and drinks were available as well.
The prostheses are “quick and easy to make,” said Christy Ott, who has helped put on the Knit-A-Tit-A-Thon in years past, saying that the women who receive them are very grateful.
“Women come in and thank us so much,” said Ott, talking about how rewarding participating in the Knit-A-Tit-A-Thon can be.
For more information, call 478-7GO-KNIT (46-5648), or visit Creative Yarns at 134 Speer Avenue, just off Vineville Avenue.
About 1.3 million people annually are diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and it is the most widespread form of cancer in the world today. Get involved in events around Macon or your hometown this October to help raise awareness for this disease.