PARKERSBURG - The Mid-Ohio Valley In The Pink organization invites the community to participate in Pink Sunday, set for Oct. 7.
About one in eight U.S. women, just under 12 percent, will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime, according to breastcancer.org.
Parkersburg resident Joan Parsons decided to stand up to those numbers when she formed Mid-Ohio Valley In The Pink, a nonprofit organization, in June 2009.
Parsons also directs the Mid-Ohio Valley Run/Walk each year in Parkersburg. The walk will take place Sept. 29 at City Park in Parkersburg.
Pink Sunday is a branch of the breast cancer awareness rally for which Parsons and the organization are trying to bring awareness. Parsons said she picked Oct. 7 because it is the first Sunday of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Parsons said the walk/run will have something special this year. People will participate in a picture of the famous pink ribbon symbol. Photos of the event will be taken from the air by professional photographers and news media.
The Parkersburg Fire Department is offering one of its fire trucks to elevate photographers to get a good shot of the symbol.
Parsons said she is eager to get the word out about breast cancer and help survivors and family members of those who have died from the disease.
"My biggest thing is trying to get people to support the event and the Pink Sunday is just part of it," she said.
Pink Sunday will give residents in Parkersburg, Vienna, Williamstown, Belpre and Marietta the chance to participate in a great cause, Parsons said. She said Sunday is a good day to raise the issue because people will be attending church.
"Pastors of the church can say a prayer for survivors and loved ones that have passed away," she said.
Proceeds from the events of the walk will go to the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Fund.
