MacDill increases breast cancer awareness

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women in the United States and today's second leading cause of death in American women.

The 6th Medical Group will have booths set up around base that will have educational information on preventive methods and healthy tips for breast cancer and women's health in general.

In addition this year, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida Health Promotion Services, formerly known as the Health and Wellness Center, has come up with a unique way to help spread the word for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with an initiative program, "Bike-It Pink."

Five years ago MacDill Health Promotion Services began the Air Force's first environmental program entitled "Bike-It" to reach the masses and encourage more exercising in a different and cost-effective way.

Recently, four pink bicycles were added to the fleet. During the entire month of October, MacDill will be able to Bike- It Pink. Along with renting pink bicycles and gear, people receive complimentary goodies and educational information on women's health and breast cancer.

"We are hoping that the Bike-It Pink program will allow us to raise more awareness on women's health and breast cancer," expressed Joan Craft, 6th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Health Promotions Services director. "We hope to encourage more people to exercise and learn how to prevent breast cancer in a new and exciting way."

The Bike-it program allows members of Team MacDill to rent out bikes Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4 pm as a mode of transportation and exercise.

For more information on the program please contact Health Promotion Services at 813-828-4739.