Chargers Host ‘Think Pink' Event at Stadium

Tuesday’s event provided free mammograms for uninsured woman as part of the team’s support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The San Diego Chargers’ team colors may be blue and gold, but on Tuesday, the team chose to “Think Pink” in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Joining the fight against breast cancer, the Bolts partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to host a special “Think Pink” event at Qualcomm Stadium that provided free mammograms for uninsured women.

Susie Spanos, wife of Chargers president Dean Spanos, is a breast cancer survivor. She was in attendance at Tuesday’s mammogram event and was not surprised that the event drew an overflow crowd.

“It’s a message and cause that affects everyone,” Susie told NBC 7.

With October bring Breast Cancer Awareness Month, “Think Pink” events like the one at Qualcomm Stadium are quite prevalent across the nation.

From local high school football teams and NFL players wearing bright pink gear, to “Think Pink” bake sales and fundraising walks, Breast Cancer Awareness events are widespread, and seem to be helping the cause.

‘We see a real impact in women taking care of themselves,” said Laura Farmer Sherman, executive director of the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s San Diego Chapter. “And, in October you see pink everywhere.”

Sherman said the percentage of women getting mammograms in San Diego has risen to all-time highs, and annual breast cancer fundraising has also increased.

“We raised $2 million, and all that money goes back into community. Not one penny goes to our overhead costs – it all goes back into community to help women.

But, there is a bit of a dark side to all this pink.

“Some people say that it’s too much – that there’s too much pink,” said Sherman. “I say, to those people, there isn’t enough pink in this world to take care of everybody who needs it.”

That includes people like Deborrah Morgan, one of hundreds of uninsured women who received a free mammogram at the Qualcomm Stadium event.

“It’s important to me. I have family history, I have issues, so it’s important to me to get it taken care of,” Morgan said, grateful for her free screening.

In 2010, the Susan G. Komen San Diego Chapter granted $540,000 locally. Last year, $1.4 million was granted and this year, with donations up, that grant money should increase as well.

To find out about other Breast Cancer Awareness Month events happening locally, visit the San Diego Chapter’s website.
 

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