Paint the Town Pink will return on Friday after the original planned date was rescheduled due to inclement weather. The annual breast cancer awareness fundraiser will be held on Oct. 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Granger Park. 

LaGrange has hosted the Paint the Town Pink for the last 17 years to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month held in October each year. This year’s celebration will be a bit different than past events. 

This year Paint the Town Pink will be a one-mile fun walk and “rock-a-thon” at Granger Park rather than the traditional celebration on the square.

Participants with difficulty walking can join in the fun by rocking along in a rocking chair provided in partnership with Home Depot. The rocking chairs are available for those who are unable or would simply prefer not to walk. 

Organizers included the rocking chair option, knowing that some cancer survivors might have limited mobility due to their treatments.

Cancer treatments and regiments can be very taxing on the body, said Whitnie Willis, director of oncology services at Wellstar.

The event is $30 to participate, which goes toward treatment for patients in need.

Willis said that funds from the event are put toward patients who cannot otherwise pay for their treatments.

In addition to raising awareness of breast cancer, Paint the Town Pink also promotes women’s health and encourages early detection. When caught early and in the localized stage, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is about 99%, according to the American Cancer Society, so monthly breast self-exams and regular mammograms are encouraged.   

Participants can register by calling 706-812-2191 or by visiting https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Lagrange/PTTP.

Organizers say no one will be turned away if they can’t afford to pay.