We are in the middle of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many organizations across Shelby County are doing their parts to help ensure that local women have the information they need to fight against breast cancer.

Many of our most influential local women have waged personal battles against breast cancer — women such as Carol Bruser with Leadership Shelby County and the University of Montevallo, Mayor Hollie Cost of the city of Montevallo and Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin of the state House of Representatives.

These women and others recently shared their stories at a breast cancer awareness luncheon at Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster. Just like the vast majority of women in Shelby County, each of these women work hard every day, are devoted to their families and lead busy, fulfilling lives. They’ve all fought breast cancer and won — an outcome attainable for anyone else diagnosed with breast cancer.

If you are a local woman 40 and older in good health and you have not had a mammogram in a year or more, check out these opportunities for discounted mammograms:

— Shelby Baptist is offering discounted mammograms for $99 every Friday in October. Those interested should call 620-8008 for appointments.

— St. Vincent’s One Nineteen in Greystone is also offering $99 mammograms throughout the month of October.

You can make an appointment for a $99 mammogram at One Nineteen by calling 408-6450.

Many Calera businesses are giving customers a chance to donate to the Breast Cancer Foundation of Alabama and possibly get something for their donation. Customers can donate $1 for a chance to win door prizes, each of which has a minimum retail value of $25. The drawing will be held Nov. 1.

The Calera High School, Chelsea High School and Shelby County High School football teams will honor breast cancer survivors by holding “pink” football games. Calera’s pink game will be Oct. 18, while Shelby County and Chelsea will play each other in a pink game Nov. 1. Both schools are selling T-shirts for the game.

The We Say is the opinion of the Shelby County Reporter editorial board.