Dakota Design to host breast cancer awareness event

On Friday, Sept. 21, the Dakota Design Center in Merrick will host a “Pinkout” event to raise breast cancer awareness. The showroom, at 1565 Merrick Road, will host four Long Island-based breast cancer charities — the 1 in 9 Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition, the NY Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program at Adelphi University, the Carol M. Baldwin Research Fund and the F.A.C.T. Foundation.

Hundreds of pink ribbons will be hung along Merrick Road, Merrick Avenue and Bedford Avenue to mark the event. Kasmir Fabrics and Frills & Things of Bellmore will donate the ribbons.

New York State Sen. Charles Fuschillo will help kick off the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 p.m. County Executive Ed Mangano is also expected to attend.

Last month, Mangano declared October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” throughout Nassau County. “It is important that we as citizens pause to bring awareness to the fight against breast cancer,” said the county executive in a written release. “I have declared October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to honor survivors, remember loved ones, thank caregivers and most importantly shine the light on hope for a cure.”

According to breastcancer.org, a nonprofit organization that compiles up-to-date information about breast cancer, 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer during their lives.

The organization also states that an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women in 2011, along with 57,650 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.

A complimentary Fall Fashion Show, hosted by Runway Couture and Salon Nouveau, both of Bellmore, will follow the Pinkout.