Kick off ‘Billieve’ campaign by lighting falls pink
Bills invade Niagara. The Buffalo Bills were in Niagara Falls on Friday to kick off the fifth annual ‘Billieve’ campaign to raise awareness of the Billieve Breast Cancer Awareness Program. From left to right: quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, defensive end Dwan Edwards, safety Bryan Scott, safety Jairus Byrd, defensive end Alex Carrington, offensive lineman Eric Wood, long snapper Garrison Sanborn and running back Fred Jackson. MELINDA CHEEVERS/STAFF PHOTO
Do you “Bill”ieve?
The Buffalo Bills were in Niagara Falls on Friday night to light the falls pink in support of breast cancer awareness month. For the second consecutive year, the NFL team partnered up with the Niagara Falls Illumination Board and the Western New York affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure for the local kick-off event to this season’s Billieve campaign. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness to support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s mission to save lives through early detection, with the ultimate goal of ending breast cancer forever. Friday’s event included a party and fan autograph session at Edgewater’s Tap and Grill, as well as the lighting ceremony at the Illuminations Tower Stage in Queen Victoria Park.
Breast cancer survivor Averl Anderson was one of the ceremony’s speakers. The two-year breast cancer survivor was diagnosed in 2006 and underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment. She said early detection saved her life.
“It’s very important for people to know – we have to get out the message of early detection,” she said. “The chances of surviving cancer increases if you catch it earlier. Also, cancer treatment (in Buffalo) for early detection cases cost taxpayers $20,000, late detection cases cost $120,000. It’s beneficial to everyone to catch it earlier.”
Anderson, who volunteers her time helping other cancer survivors as well as acting as an ambassador for the Western New York affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said it’s important for women to know the risk when it comes to breast cancer. Women in their 20s should be getting a clinical exam every three years and women over 40 should be getting a clinical and mammogram exam annually.
“It’s disheartening to know that every two minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said. “We can eradicate it with early diagnosis.”
As a Buffalo native and long-time Bills fans, Anderson said having the football organization come on board to support women and Susan G. Komen for the Cure is an “awesome, awesome, awesome” thing.
“To have an organization like the Buffalo Bills standing behind breast cancer and hosting this awesome event is great,” she said. “It takes the stigma away from it; it takes the shame out of it. It shows you that there are so many people out there supporting you and fighting alongside you. It’s just great.”
Bills’ offensive lineman Eric Wood said people might not immediately associate football with breast cancer, but the juxtaposition is what makes the campaign work so well.
“To have these big tough guys decked out in pink really stands out,” he said. “The fact that all of these men are out there, supporting this cause for women in such a masculine sport really makes a statement.”
Throughout the month of October, Bills players, as well as players from other NFL teams, will be sporting touches of pink while on the field. From pink cleats, to pink ribbons on their uniform, players have the option to express their support however they’d like. Woods said breaking in a pair of new (pink) cleats is a bit difficult for him, but he’s seen some of his teammates working in new pairs.
Speaking at the event, Bills running back Fred Jackson said he’s ready to don some pink and fight like a girl.
“It’s a manly colour this year,” he said.
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