Autumn has graced the Powell Valley with hues of red, orange and yellow, and with October here, residents should expect to see more pink, too.From pink lights glowing on Main Street to pink merchandise sold in local stores to pink bracelets adorning residents' wrists, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has arrived with its trademark color.The month has been recognized for 25 years in America, helping increase awareness, provide education and empower women diagnosed with breast cancer.It's estimated that around 190,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and more than 40,000 die from it, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Thankfully, screening exams can detect breast cancer early, before it spreads to other areas of the body. Many doctors believe early screening saves thousands of lives each year.October is a month to remind women of the importance of early detection and to remember the wives, mothers, sisters, friends and neighbors who have lost their battles with breast cancer. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it's likely you'll see a lot of pink in Powell.Though pink products have become a national fad, consumers need to be sure that proceeds from pink merchandise actually benefit breast cancer research, education or exams.With so many pink products flooding the market — from toothbrushes to umbrellas to T-shirts to soap — there's a growing concern that some merchandise sporting the pink ribbon doesn't actually benefit breast cancer research, but just marketers capitalizing on a trend.Residents wanting to make a difference should consider donating locally to Women's Wellness. The center uses donations to help uninsured and underinsured women in our area. On Saturday, more than 70 participants participated in a fundraising walk/run, with proceeds helping Big Horn Basin patients with annual exams, mammograms and aid in funding additional tests. The pink lights adorning downtown streetlamps also benefit Women's Wellness.This month, one of the best ways to think pink is to donate to those in our community.

Autumn has graced the Powell Valley with hues of red, orange and yellow, and with October here, residents should expect to see more pink, too.

From pink lights glowing on Main Street to pink merchandise sold in local stores to pink bracelets adorning residents' wrists, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has arrived with its trademark color.

The month has been recognized for 25 years in America, helping increase awareness, provide education and empower women diagnosed with breast cancer.

It's estimated that around 190,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and more than 40,000 die from it, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Thankfully, screening exams can detect breast cancer early, before it spreads to other areas of the body. Many doctors believe early screening saves thousands of lives each year.

October is a month to remind women of the importance of early detection and to remember the wives, mothers, sisters, friends and neighbors who have lost their battles with breast cancer. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it's likely you'll see a lot of pink in Powell.

Though pink products have become a national fad, consumers need to be sure that proceeds from pink merchandise actually benefit breast cancer research, education or exams.

With so many pink products flooding the market — from toothbrushes to umbrellas to T-shirts to soap — there's a growing concern that some merchandise sporting the pink ribbon doesn't actually benefit breast cancer research, but just marketers capitalizing on a trend.

Residents wanting to make a difference should consider donating locally to Women's Wellness. The center uses donations to help uninsured and underinsured women in our area. On Saturday, more than 70 participants participated in a fundraising walk/run, with proceeds helping Big Horn Basin patients with annual exams, mammograms and aid in funding additional tests. The pink lights adorning downtown streetlamps also benefit Women's Wellness.

This month, one of the best ways to think pink is to donate to those in our community.