Port Jefferson is going pink this October to help raise community awareness about breast cancer and breast health. Government buildings, schools, businesses and other institutions will be lit up in pink lights as part of Mather’s Paint Port Pink community outreach.(Paint Point Pink replaces Victory Day.)

Paint Port Pink is presented by Astoria Bank with the support of North Shore Hematology Oncology Associates, Long Island Physician Associates, LI Anesthesia Physicians, People’s United Bank, Suffolk Plastic Surgeons, A World of Pink, Empire Bank and Gordon L. Seaman.

The month-long outreach will distribute breast cancer information, raise funds for the Fortunato Breast Health Center and increase breast health awareness throughout our community with the cooperation of the sponsors and the Village of Port Jefferson, the Port Jefferson School District, the North Shore Art Guild, Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and other local groups. All money raised will benefit the Fortunato Breast Health Center Fund for Uninsured.

Among the activities planned are an Oct. 1 kick-off and Village Hall tree lighting at 6:30 pm; An Artists United Against Breast Cancer art show at the Village Center through Oct. 31; and an educational seminar featuring a Cold Spring harbor Laboratory research on Oct. 29 at Mather. For complete details go to www.matherhospital.org/pink

Aug. 30-Oct. 31

Mather Hospital is teaming up with the North Shore Art Guild, the Village of Port Jefferson and the Port Jefferson Conservancy to present Artists United Against Breast Cancer, a juried art show at the Port Jefferson Village Center. The show will feature works inspired by the personal transformation, hope, love, fear, loss and victory associated with breast cancer. The show’s theme will be "Victors of Survival, A Celebration of the Warrior Within Each of Us". Proceeds from sales of the art will benefit the Fortunato Breast Health Center.

Oct. 1

Paint Port Pink Tree Lighting Ceremony – Mayor Margot Garant will flip the switch to light up the Village Hall tree in pink lights at a ceremony that kicks off Paint Port Pink. Everyone is invited to the tree lighting, which will include music by local school groups. At the same time, Village Hall, Mather Hospital and other buildings will be awash in pink light, Theatre Three’s marquee will feature pink lights, local retailers will have pink lights in their windows and downtown fountains will be "pinked".

Oct. 1- Oct. 31

Edna Louise Spear Elementary students will launch their Your Change Can Make Change promotion, collecting change for the Fortunato Breast Health Center using the Center’s giant hourglass.

Port Jefferson Middle School students will sell and wear pink shoe laces and Frisbees to raise awareness and raise funds for the Breast Center.

Earl L. Vandermeulen HS cheerleaders and the Student Organization will begin their Flamingo Flocking fundraising campaign. The pink plastic suburban icons will be placed on the lawns of friends and supporters along with a note explaining that friends or family paid to have them "flocked" and explaining that if they make a donation, the flock will migrate to the yard of any relative or friend they choose.

Oct. 5

The 9th annual Pink Rock Golf Classic at the Port Jefferson Country Club. The event benefits the Fund for Uninsured at the Fortunato Breast Health Center and breast cancer treatment services at Mather Hospital. Registration is at 11 am followed by a barbecue lunch at 11:30 am and a shot gun start at 1 pm.

Oct. 23

The 50th Anniversary One Enchanted Evening Gala at the Hyatt Regency Long Island, Hauppauge, from 7-11 pm. Mather’s annual gala, which includes the presentation of the Community Service Award and Theodore Roosevelt Awards for service to the hospital and the community, raises funds for the Fortunato Breast Health Center.Oct. 29

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Director of Research David Spector will speak about his research on Finding New Ways to Halt Breast Cancer Progression at a free educational seminar at Mather Hospital starting at 6:30 pm. Exhibitors will present health information. The seminar takes place in Mather’s new Long Island Anesthesia Physicians Conference Center. To register for this seminar please call 631-686-7878.