Events & Fundraisers Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the Bay Area

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States with approximately 1 in 8 women developing invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Charities, advocates, and health organizations around the globe observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October to increase awareness and raise funds to fight the disease. The annual campaign highlights the importance of early diagnosis, educates about treatment options, and raises research funds aimed at bettering prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for breast cancer.

As we approach October, mark your calendar with these inspiring, educational, and fun Breast Cancer Awareness Month events and fundraisers throughout the community. Join the fight and help to support breast cancer programs, services, education, and research in the Bay Area and beyond.

• Taste for the Cure: A Taste of Science*
  The UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center hosts the annual event Taste for the Cure: A Taste of Science, a day of discovery focused on exploring the impacts of food and science on breast health.
  • Saturday, Oct. 1 (10 a.m.–3 p.m.)
  • Jewish Community Center of San Francisco

• Pinkathon Free Run for Breast Cancer
  The Pinkathon San Francisco is an untimed and unmarked fun run with six races throughout the day, ranging from 5K to 50K! The event supports the Pinkathon’s official charity, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 
  • Saturday, Oct. 1 (6:30 a.m.)
  • San Francisco Ferry Building at Gott’s Roadside, San Francisco

• Swim a Mile for Women with Cancer
  The Swim is an annual event that raises funds for the free programs and services offered by the Women's Cancer Resource Center in Oakland.
  • Saturday & Sunday, October 1-2
  • Trefethen Aquatic Center, Oakland

• 6th Annual Action Speaks Louder Than Pink – Food for Thought
  Join Breast Cancer Action to Think Before You Pink® this October while enjoying a four-course dinner prepared by celebrated Bay Area chefs.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 5 (6-9 p.m.)
  • Green Room at the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, San Francisco

• Release Event for So Much to be Done: The Writings of Breast Cancer Activist Barbara Brenner
  Laurel Book Store hosts an event celebrating the late breast cancer activist Barbara Brenner and the publication of her collected works, So Much to Be Done: The Writings of Breast Cancer Activist Barbara Brenner.
  • Thursday, Oct. 6 (7 p.m.)
  • Laurel Book Store, Oakland

• Avon Comprehensive Breast Center Event*
  The Avon Comprehensive Breast Center located at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital will host an Open House to help showcase our continued progress to improving early detection.  
  •  Friday, Oct. 7 (1 - 3 p.m.)
  • Avon Comprehensive Breast Center at ZSFGH, San Francisco

• Beats for Boobs
  Beats for Boobs® (b::b), a project of the Breast Cancer Fund, is a collaborative celebration of art, fashion, food, music, and education.
  • Saturday, Oct. 8 (7 p.m.-2 a.m.)
  • Mezzanine, San Francisco

• Dipsea Hike for Zero Breast Cancer
  The family friendly Dipsea Hike for Zero Breast Cancer supports Zero Breast Cancer’s outreach and education efforts aimed at preventing breast cancer in the next generation.
  • Saturday, Oct. 8 (8 a.m.)
  • Old Mill Park, Mill Valley

• ¡Caminemos Por Vida!
  Círculo de Vida, a community support group for Latinos with cancer, hosts the “Walk for Life” to raise funds in honor or memory of individuals affected by cancer.
  • Sunday, Oct. 9 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
  • Stow Lake – Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

• Notes4Hope Benefit Concert
  Notes4Hope presents a live concert for breast cancer prevention featuring Matt Nathanson. Proceeds from the evening benefit the Breast Cancer Fund.
  • Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016 (6 p.m.)
  • California Shakespeare Theater, Orinda

• BRA Day Fitness Class & Luncheon
  Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day (BRA Day) is held annually to emphasize the team approach to breast cancer care – from diagnosis to reconstruction. Dr. Karen Horton hosts a private fitness class at Pure Barre San Rafael, followed by a lunchtime reception for breast cancer survivors, family and friends, and anyone interested in learning about breast reconstruction options.
  •  Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016 (noon– 2 p.m.)
  • Dr. Horton’s office – 2100 Webster St., San Francisco

• This Old Bag Fundraiser
  The Breast Cancer Emergency Fund’s annual fundraiser auctions handbags donated by celebrities, designers, couture and vintage boutiques, and more.
  • Friday, Oct. 21 (6:30–9:30 p.m.)
  • The Bently Reserve, San Francisco

• American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
  Help raise funds for groundbreaking breast cancer research, life-saving education, and critical patient services by walking in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Making Strides of San Francisco.
  • Saturday, Oct. 22 (8 a.m.)
  • Hellman Hollow – Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

• Bling the Bra
  Virtuous 12 Productions invites all women to an afternoon filled with inspiration, drinks, and friends coming together to raise awareness about breast cancer.  
  • Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016 (2-6 p.m.)
  • Total Wine, Fremont

• Party in Pink Zumbathon
  Attend a Zumbathon to raise funds to defeat breast cancer.
  • Saturday, Oct. 22 (10–11:30 a.m.)
  • Veteran’s Richmond Hall, Richmond

• What Your Loved Ones with Breast Cancer Need from You*
  The UCSF Medical Center at Montgomery Street invites the community to a one-of-a-kind event to meet author and breast cancer survivor Laura Holmes Haddad, breast imaging faculty from UCSF, and representatives from the Avon Comprehensive Breast Center. The event will highlight how essential community support is for individuals battling breast cancer, as well as the importance of screening and self-care. Light refreshments will be served.
  • Tuesday, October 25, 2016 (11:30a.m.–1:00p.m.)
  • UCSF Imaging Center for Women’s Health - 1725 Montgomery Street, San Francisco

• Party in Pink Zumbathon
  Join The Studio Danville as they host a Zumbathon to raise funds to defeat breast cancer.
  • Saturday, Oct. 29 (3–4:30 p.m.)
  • The Studio Danville, Danville

• A Crucial Catch: San Francisco 49ers Online Shop
  The San Francisco 49ers join the fight against breast cancer with the official pink merchandise for the "A Crucial Catch" campaign. A portion of all proceeds is donated to breast cancer research.
  • Now through the end of October

• The Breast Cancer Fund’s Get Active Challenge
  With the Get Active Challenge, add a fundraising element to any event or goal you choose. Join the Breast Cancer Fund’s Get Active Challenge to get in shape and help to stop breast cancer before it starts.
  • Now through December

*Event hosted by UCSF