Township Committee Proclaims October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Springfield town hall was noticeably more pink than usual on Tuesday night. Officials and residents all wore the color to mark the official proclamation of October as breast cancer awareness month. 

As Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady read the proclamation, Fire Department clerk Fire Department Clerk Maria Forte and resident Tracy Beveridge came to the front of the meeting room. Both had personal connections to the disease. Forte is currently collecting money for breast cancer research by participating in the "Walk for the Cure" on Oct. 21 in Central Park. Beveridge, winner of Springfield Patch's tax preparer poll, is a breast cancer survivor.

Shehady said that the proclamation was important because it showed that breast cancer does hit home for Springfield residents.

"Beyond words on paper, it's a real issue," Shehady said.