Throughout the month of October, we have watched our Bills players and coaches proudly wear pink to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Friday October 19th, our community will come together as one to honor breast cancer awareness, as the Bills host the seventh annual BILLIEVE event sponsored by ECMC.
Fred Jackson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Mario Williams are among the many Bills players who will be attending the BILLIEVE event, gathering in Niagara Falls to fight breast cancer.
"Breast Cancer awareness is an issue that the Buffalo Bills continue to pay great attention to, and the Billieve campaign is a sure way in which we can help combat the dangers of this disease head-on," Mary Owen, Buffalo Bills Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning, said. "It is our hope that through this initiative, we are able to engage our fan base in a memorable way to raise awareness and help save lives."
Starting at 6:30 PM, Niagara Falls will be illuminated pink, and Bills players will help in forming the International PINKTOBER living ribbon of supporters across the Rainbow Bridge. American and Canadian participants will meet in the middle of the bridge, linking together as one.
Breast cancer is a disease that hits home with many individuals. Rose Ann Ross was diagnosed with Breast cancer 11 years ago. She has been an active member of the American Cancer Society, and believes that she has been given a voice to speak about the issue to the masses.
Over her 11 cancer free years, she has worked to raise over $120,000 for the American Cancer Society to help in the fight against breast cancer. This will be Rose's first year attending the Buffalo Bills BILLIEVE event and she couldn't be more excited for the support that will take place Friday night.
"I feel a lot of excitement about the fact that the American Cancer Society has such a great opportunity to partner with the Bills, and that two countries are coming together to honor survivors and people that are suffering with this disease," said Ross. The excitement and the amount of people that will be attending is wonderful."
Supporters will have the opportunity to receive information about how to prevent breast cancer, and the proper screening processes and detection methods that help save lives. The ECMC Lifeline Foundation Mammography Bus, which features two digital mammography machines, will be parked on Old Falls Street, USA for people to visit and receive information on early diagnosis and treatment.
"Breast cancer is something that really hits home for my family," said Alissa Chandler, wife of Bills tight end Scott Chandler. "Having my mother as a survivor, I believe it is important to support breast cancer awareness and to stress the importance of early detection. If my mother wouldn't have found her tumor during early detection screenings she may not be here today, and for that I am ever grateful."
"Whether you are faced with breast cancer or you've never been faced with it, it's not a matter of that. You never know what can happen in your life. Just by people showing support is so beneficial. Come out, help, and show your support."
Following the living ribbon ceremony, supporters will be welcomed to the Hard Rock Café, Niagara Falls USA for a free outdoor concert beginning at 7:30 PM. At 8:30 PM, National Recording Artist Belinda Carlisle will take the stage performing for a free outdoor concert.
To be a part of this unforgettable evening, click here and reserve your spot on the Rainbow Bridge for the living ribbon ceremony. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised will benefit the American Cancer Society, and help save lives in the fight against breast cancer.
"Each time we host an event, we are coming together to save someone's life," said Ross. "Early detection can save your life and I'm living proof of that."
