Southampton Recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month Big Duck Shines Pink in Flanders • Southampton, NY
The Town of Southampton has officially announced its annual observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout the month of October, reinforcing its commitment to community health, supporting survivors, and emphasizing the critical importance of early detection. As a prominent visual anchor for the month-long campaign, Southampton’s historic and beloved landmark, the Big Duck in Flanders, will be illuminated in pink light.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a deeply significant time for our community to support patients, honor survivors, and remember those we have lost to this devastating disease,” said Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore. “By lighting our iconic landmark, the Big Duck, in a vibrant pink, we are sending a clear, highly visible reminder to all of our residents to spark vital conversations about health and encourage everyone to prioritize routine screenings which we know can truly save lives.”
On the evening of October 13th, the Town illuminated the Big Duck with teal, green, and pink colors in observance of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The evening was part of the worldwide #LightUpMBC movement, organized locally by the North Fork Breast Health Coalition. The initiative illuminated landmarks and businesses across the East End in addition to the Big Duck, including the airplanes at Grumman Memorial Park in Calverton, and the Jamesport Meeting House.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day brings patients, families, caregivers and advocates together to highlight the ongoing need for research, resources, and improved outcomes for people living with Stage IV breast cancer. The campaign also supports METAvivor, an organization dedicated to funding continued research. The lighting of the Big Duck serves as a beacon of hope and solidarity for the thousands of individuals and families impacted by breast cancer across Long Island and the nation.
“Whether it is lighting up an iconic attraction, wearing pink, or sharing information with a neighbor, even a small action can make a difference,” Moore added. “By coming together as a community, we can reassure both patients and survivors that they are not alone, and that the need for expanded education, early detection, and prevention remains a priority. We are proud to join others in these efforts and to help shine a light on the importance of awareness”.
First established in 1985 as a week-long campaign, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has grown into an annual international campaign involving volunteer groups, businesses, public health organizations and individuals.
