Poplar Bluff residents will be seeing multiple shades of pink beginning Friday when the United Cancer Assistance Network (UCAN) hosts their annual PINK OUT event.
Melody Chailland, executive director of UCAN said that one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during an interview in the nonprofit's office housed in the Danny Bell Treatment Center.
"The intent is to create awareness, support, and of course, raising funds for UCAN, because we don't receive any grant money, we receive donations only," Chailland said.
Chailland continued by saying that local businesses, individuals and families wear pink all day long while most participants share online, but certain places like the hospital go pink with UCAN and then the community finishes up with a pink football game.
The Poplar Bluff High School Student Council leads the charge for the annual PINK OUT event and the Mules PINK OUT Football game which will take place on Friday, Oct. 13.
"They (the Student Council) created this 14 years ago," Chailland said. "And they have continued the support over the years."
Another organization that helps the nonprofit by making a sizeable donation every year is the Municipal Utilities Department.
Catherine Dollins, Municipal Utilities customer accounts supervisor, explained employees pay $2 from each paycheck to dress down. The money is deducted directly from their payroll and donated to the UCAN.
"There were 12 of us this year that donated," Dollins said. "Overall, it was over $1,200 this year. We are glad that we can help our community in this way."
The PINK OUT event is one of the largest fundraisers and best-known fundraisers in Southeast Missouri and has raised over $300,000 during past years with the proceeds going directly back into the community.
Thus far, Chailland said that this year's fundraiser has been overwhelming. "We have sold over 700 shirts already," she said.
According to the UCAN's website, this year's PINK OUT shirts are $15 for sizes YXS-XL and $20 for sizes 2XL-3XL. For more information on how to donate, participants can visit the nonprofit's Facebook page or website for more information.
Chailland added that the significance of the PINK OUT day is raising awareness and reminding people to get their mammograms.
"It's going to remind them to do those self-checks," she said. "And it's going to be a matter of early detection."
In Poplar Bluff, Chailland said that lung cancer is common, but breast cancer is second in the area. Part of UCAN's programming provides free assistance to area cancer patients who are undergoing cancer treatments such as infusion chemotherapy or radiation. Assistance includes nutritional supplements, transportation assistance, fuel expenses, medical supplies and daily living expenses.