October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in today's edition we have devoted an entire section (pages 7-12) to stories about this terrible disease.

Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point.

The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it's found and treated early. A mammogram - the screening test for breast cancer - can help find breast cancer early when it's easier to treat.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of finding breast cancer early. Make a difference! Spread the word about mammograms, and encourage your loved ones, friends, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.

How can we make a difference during Breast Cancer Month?

We can use this opportunity to spread the word about taking steps to detect breast cancer early.

• Urge doctors and nurses to speak to women about the importance of getting screened for breast cancer.

• Encourage women ages 40 to 49 to talk with their doctors about when to start getting mammograms.

• Organize an event to talk with women ages 50 to 74 in your community about getting mammograms every 2 years.

Today our fight against cancer is strong and getting healthier every day. We have many champions in our community, including Glorianne Ellison and Kara Passante, two courageous and caring women who have fought the fight against breast cancer - and won.

And not only did they take care of themselves but in 2013 they organized a group of like survivors and called it Ride2Survive Sullivan County.

To date, this wonderful group has dispersed over $165,000 to over 900 community members for their transportation costs associated with cancer treatments.

They have brought this fight out of the shadows and have shown all the residents of Sullivan County what it is like to care for one another and give someone something which they so desperately need during their battle with cancer - hope and support.

On November 16, Ride2Survive will celebrate its Seventh Annual Fundraiser at the Villa Roma in Callicoon and again prove that by joining together and caring for each other the battle against cancer - especially breast cancer - can become a little easier.

Please go to ride2survivesullivancounty.org to make a contribution or, better yet, buy a ticket to the fundraiser.

It's an inspirational night in our continuing fight to help those with cancer get better.

Godspeed to all the Ride2Survive volunteers and all those battling this dreaded disease.