ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Triple Ribbon Month is designed to bring awareness to three important causes: Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Red Ribbon Week.
“All three had competing events,” said Stuart Bapties, Robins Health and Wellness Center director.
The three were combined into one month to host multiple events together.
A proclamation signing was held Tuesday at Central Georgia Technical College, which mayors Jimmy Faircloth of Perry; Randy Toms of Warner Robins; and John Harley from Centerville, along with Houston County Commissioner Tommy Stalnaker and Col. Jeff King, 78th Air Base Wing commander, all signed.
Each year, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. An estimated 231,840 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, according to the proclamation.
Red Ribbon Week is held Oct. 23 through 31 with this year’s theme, of “Respect Yourself, Be Drug Free.”
According to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, one in four women and one in seven men have experienced physical violence by a partner. In 2015, 27 percent of domestic violence incidents resulted in death.
In the last year, more than 15.5 million children have witnessed domestic violence, according to the commission.
To combat these problems, the base will hold various road shows and activities throughout the month of October.
On Oct. 21, there will be a 5K Color Run along with a resiliency fair. The annual Pink Picnic luncheon will be held Oct. 27 with guest speaker Becky Olson, a three-time cancer survivor.
There will also be spirit days held throughout the month which encourage people to wear a different color shirt on Wednesdays. Oct. 5 will be pink, Oct. 12 is blue, Oct. 19 is purple and Oct. 26 is red.
Pink symbolizes breast cancer, blue is resiliency, purple for domestic violence and red for drug awareness.
Local agencies along with base helping agencies will dispense educational information at the road shows and events.
For more information, contact the Health and Wellness Center at 478-327-8480.