NORMAN — When the name on City Hall reads “Pink, Oklahoma,” there seems to be only one thing that can be done during October — raise funds to help The American Cancer Society find a cure to end breast cancer. And you can bet the citizens of Pink, Oklahoma, are going to do their best to make that happen.
In it’s fifth year, the town of Pink, located nine miles west of Tecumseh, will own up to its unique name and, well, paint the town pink. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, a 10K, 5K and one mile fun walk/run will be the crowing events for Pink Out Cancer. Several other events such as a live auction, the Oklahoma Blood Institutes’ mobile unit and a moon bounce are planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Mike Black will make an appearance as Elvis, and vendors will be on hand to sell food and crafts. Also, no community event would be complete without a pie auction.
“We have some really good cooks in this town, I’ve got to tell you,” Christa Chapman, Pink Out Cancer committee member, said.
According to Chapman, the event is something that the entire town agreed upon and has pulled together to organize.
“We’re the only town in the nation named Pink, and we are truly committed to raising awareness and funds to fight cancer. We are hoping to surpass $50,000 raised in five years. We are really going to make a true effort to turn the town Pink,” Chapman said. “This is just another great way for the people of Oklahoma to gather in Pink and support breast cancer awareness month.”
All Pink Out Cancer events are organized by volunteers, Chapman said, and all of the money raised goes right back to the American Cancer Society.
“The first year we had two months to get ready for it,” Chapman said. “Now we start months ahead and sometimes as soon as this one is over with, we start planning the next one.”
In the beginning, members of the Pink community thought that the Pink Out Cancer event was just a one time deal.
“No one thought we would have much of a response. Then, every time we ran into someone we knew, they would ask about the next event. So we said, ‘Lets give it one more year.’ Now we are saying we are just going to go ahead and do this,” Chapman said.
Chapman and her husband actually relocated to Pink from California a few years ago and have enjoyed their time in a less fast passed environment.
“For a small community, it has a huge heart. We are excited this year,” Chapman said. “We’ve loved every minute of it (the planning) and the people here are just fantastic.
Opening ceremonies for Pink Out Cancer will take place at 9 a.m., with the 10K and 5K races beginning promptly at 9:30 a.m. followed by the one mile fun walk/run. Chapman said that approximately 207 runners have signed up for the officially timed run.
“Our 10K is probably the worse 10K you’ll ever run because we have hills. Runners like to come out to run it because it gets them ready to run the one in Stillwater,” Chapman said.
Registration is $25, which includes the official Pink Out Cancer T-shirt. Registration and check-in will begin at 8 a.m. Participants can register online at signmeup.com/85123. Event details also are posted on Facebook and Twitter.
All Pink Out Cancer activities will be held at the Pink Senior Center and Town Hall, 22065 Pink Lane.
For more information, call Mel Rogers of the American Cancer Society at 841-5817 or email mel.rogers@cancer.org.
Shana Adkisson366-3544sadkisson@normantranscript.com
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