Kenny Mann
 Staff Writer

October is breast cancer awareness month across the United States. Professional sports such as the National Football League and Major League Baseball have raised a lot of money in various ways to support research for breast cancer, bringing attention of the disease to their fans.

All throughout the month of October NFL players, officials, coaches and cheerleaders wear pink apparel to bring awareness to breast cancer. Team shops also sell the pink gear to fans, so the fans can be a part of the action as well.

They hold auctions of apparel worn during games, so that fans can bid on them. The NFL then donates money from the pink team equipment that was sold in order to help fund cancer research. While it is unclear what percentage of the money they donate, it provides fans with a way to support research while getting unique team gear.

Similarly with the MLB, they wear pink equipment on Mother’s Day to achieve the same goal. Players wear pink arm sleeves, wristbands, batting gloves, cleats and and even use pink bats in order to raise awareness and funds for the cause.

The MLB then holds an auction with tons of gear worn during the games, and provides fans with the ability to bid on it to raise money. Fans are given the chance to get great, one of a kind gear all while raising money and awareness for breast cancer.

Even though it is unclear how much money these leagues donate to cancer research, they raise a ton of awareness among sports fans during these times. They expose a devastating disease to a huge group of people.