October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in your area and beyond:

Attend Evergreen Park Community High School's Friday Night Fight Against Breast Cancer tonight when the Mustangs take on Tinley Park High School. The sophomore team plays at 4:30 p.m. while the varsity game is at 7 p.m.

Stoetzel's Planet Chiropractic, 1243 S. State St. in Lemont, is hosting "The Cancer Killers" at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11. You'll find out what cancer really is, and how the lifestyle choices you make dramatically affect cancer's development in your body.  You'll also learn the step-by-step "Don't Get It Plan" for cancer prevention, as well as what to do now if you have it.  Seating is limited so call (630) 257-8700 to reserve a spot.

A representatve from Christ Medical Center will be at the library offering information on Breast Cancer and answering questions from the audience at Acorn Public Library in Oak Forest at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 11.

Chicago Heights 1st Ward Alderman Walter Mosby is presenting the Beacon Hill Youth Committee Community Blood Drive and Health Fair at 10 a.m. Oct. 27.

Throughout the month of October, you can help support Making Strides Against Breast Cancer by visiting Phillips Chevrolet at 9700 W. Lincoln Highway in Frankfort. Just a $1 or more donation earns you a place on the Wall of Hope in the service lounge. For $20 you can purchase a raffle ticket for a new 2013 Chevy Spark, donated by Phillips Chevrolet with all proceeds benefiting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Learn about prevention, early detection and survival at the Red Hot Mamas - FREE Breast Health Awareness Event at 4 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Provena Healing Arts Pavilion in New Lenox.

Hollywood Casino Joliet has teamed up with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Joliet to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. Hollywood Casino Joliet is providing a donation station. Guest donations will be accepted throughout the month of October via a collection box placed in the casino’s pavilion, 777 Hollywood Blvd. in Joliet.

The Lemont Area Chamber of Commerce and Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital have partnered to present “The Women’s Health Symposium,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, at Crystal Grand Banquets, 12416 Archer Ave. in Lemont.

Prairie Material's Pink Truck project started in December 2005 and the trucks have been featured at many fundraising and community events in and around Chicago.

Ingalls Hospital is hosting a free Breast Cancer Health Awareness Forum for the African-American Women on Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Matteson Holiday Inn.

Palos Hospital is hosting Pain, Swelling and Hormones -- Oh My! Understanding Benign Breast Disease at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Palos Health & Fitness Center in Orland Park.

Brighton Collectibles at Orland Square Mall has created a new limited-edition Power of Pink bracelet that will be available through the month of October while supplies last. Brighton stores will contribute $10 for each $50 bracelet sold to breast cancer awareness and research organizations.

Join the Walking Company at Orland Square Mall in the fight against breast cancer. Until Oct. 31, the store is selling exclusive pink ribbon items from UGG Australia, ECCO, Dansko and ABEO.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, rue21 at Chicago Ridge Mall and in Tinley Park has pants, tees, nail polish, rings and much more to show your support! Items starting at $2.99! A portion of the profits goes to Glimmer of Hope.

The Orland Fire Protection District will have firefighters wear special Breast Cancer Awareness shirts and pink EMS gloves during the month of October to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month, Chief Ken Brucki said.

Insight Breast Cancer Organization presents An Evening of Jazz Fundraiser
featuring My Time Jazz on Saturday, Oct. 13, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Olympia Fields Country Club Crystal Room, 2800 Country Club Drive in Olympia Fields.

Calumet Harley-Davidson in Munster, Ind., is hosting a charity ride Saving 2nd Base ... One Ride at a Time at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, to support local research toward the cure for breast cancer.

Cancer Support Center is holding the Walk of Hope on Sunday, Oct. 7, at Irwin Park in Homewood.

In recognition of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Cancer Institute at Advocate Christ Medical Center and the Advocate Christ Center for Breast Care will Paint the Town Pink by hosting the medical center’s annual health information program for women on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Christ Medical Center Auditorium and Conference Center on Kilbourn Avenue between 93^rd and 95^th streets in Oak Lawn.

Join the American Cancer Society and “Pink Differently” to help create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays by participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer on Sunday, Oct. 14, in Orland Park.

Elements presents a free "Think Pink" Spa Party on Thursday, Oct. 18, from 6-9 p.m. The first 10 guests to arrive will receive a special gift bag.  If you are a breast cancer survivor, please let them know, because they will have a special gift bag for you.

Kia and partner HerHighway are sponsoring Drive Breast Cancer Awareness, in which a team of 100 women will be driving Kia vehicles from Los Angeles to New York making various stops to educate audiences on Breast Cancer awareness.

The Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation will hold its annual fall benefit luncheon from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Hilton Towers Chicago,
720 South Michigan Avenue. Actress Brooke Shields is this year's keynote speaker.

There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure.

Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise and it’s a twofer — retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects millions.

You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The agency has raised $75 million so far for research programs at the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.

And you can join people from four continents in a Race for the Cure event organized by Susan G. Komen For The Cure, or an Avon Walk For Breast Cancer event organized by the Avon Foundation for Women.

TELL US: Is there a special event you participate in to support breast cancer research? Share your stories and thoughts with us by adding them to the comments sections of this article. Also, be sure to add photos of you and your friends supporting the cause to the photo gallery above.