BY KATHLEEN HARWOOD AND NICOLE ZINGER

October is here. The leaves are turning, pumpkins are being sold and countless students are considering what they’ll be wearing on Halloween. However, in the Larchmont-Mamaroneck School District, the month of October is primarily recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness month. Local establishments are commemorating those who have been affected by the disease by doing their part to raise money for the cure. From selling low-fat yogurt or chocolate to offering the ever-present pink hair extensions, locals of all ages are remembering and striving to help those that have been affected by breast cancer.

Longfords’ Ice-Cream, located on Palmer Ave., recently launched a new line of frozen yogurt called LoYo. LoYo comes in several flavors, from Chocolate to Island Banana, so there’s certainly something for everyone. The co-owner Carol Kinghan, a cancer survivor herself, notes that a portion of all LoYo sales will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Greater New York City.

The mouth-watering chocolate shop, Chocolations, is also raising awareness for breast cancer. On Oct. 15, Chocolations held an event with the help of Ultimate Touch Hair Salon in Rye Brook. The salon came to their shop and gave out hair extensions for $25. Chocolate lollipops were also sold and for every lollipop purchased, $1 was donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. “It was a very successful event,” the Director of Operations, Chris Ann Sepkowski said. “We’re always supporting a charity. It’s very important to us, especially when we ourselves have family and friends who have been affected.” The shop is considering having another similar event again, as other community members have expressed interest.

Younger students are assisting in the cause as well. Local Hommocks Middle School student Hayley Weisstuch, ‘12, is one of these individuals. Weisstuch participated in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walkathon at Manhattanville College on Oct. 15, along with several other Hommocks students. She walked five miles, along with 8,500 pink-clad supporters and survivors, who walked to raise money for the cure. “It was really cool and inspiring. There were a lot of survivors that were walking too- and teams that came to remember people they loved. I’m glad I did it,” Weisstuch said. A total of 1.4 million dollars was raised for the cause.

As for Mamaroneck High School students, the community has been demonstrating support for Breast Cancer Awareness too. Dozens of students expressed their concern in the ‘Pink Parade’ on Oct. 7 by either purchasing pink t-shirts, or by supporting the bake sale and hair extension station in the overpass. Over a thousand dollars was raised for the cause! Sport teams reserve certain games as Breast Cancer Awareness games and on those days, players sport pink ribbons, socks and shirts in the halls.

Just remember, although October is the official Breast Cancer Awareness month, it is important to be aware of those affected by breast cancer every month of the year.