Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events near Canton

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in West Hartford and beyond:

West Hartford: Fit For the Cure, Macy's, Westfarms Mall, Oct. 12

• The company will donate $2 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® for every Wacoal bra, shapewear piece or b.tempt'd bra purchased. And, with a purchase of $80 or more, you will receive a Wacoal Spot On Tote Bag as a gift.

In addition to these local events, Connecticut residents will be participating in:

Hartford: 2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer: Oct. 21, 9 a.m. Bushnell Park

• A fundraising walk sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

Simsbury: Party in Pink Zumbathon, Big Sky Fitness, Friday, Oct. 19th

• There will be a raffle, door prizes, donations, "and of course an awesome Zumba party" organizers of this event say.

East Granby: 2nd Annual East Granby Fire Department Breast Cancer Awareness Event, Oct. 14, 12-4 p.m.

• The fire company will host a car and motorcycle show, including antique fire apparatus and a sponsorhip motorcycle ride for Bikers For The Cure. All proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Or you could attend an inspirational luncheon in Derby, CT to commemorate women who have been working tirelessly to spread breast cancer awareness. Your ticket would help the Griffin Hospital/Valley Breast Care Fund ensure that no one is ever denied a mammogram or diagnostic testing for breast cancer.

There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure.

Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise and it’s a twofer — retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects millions.

You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The agency has raised $75 million so far for research programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

The American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk is organized nationwide and so far more than 8 million people have walked for this cause and raised about $460 million.

And you can join people from four continents in a Race for the Cure event organized by Susan G. Komen For The Cure, or an Avon Walk For Breast Cancer event organized by the Avon Foundation for Women.

TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.