---

If you are suddenly seeing pink in Asbury Park this Saturday let it trigger one thought – the importance of yearly mammograms.

The city will adhorn itself in pink for Meridian Health’s annual Paint the Town Pink campaign.

[Above, a 2013 photo of Asbury Park Fire Department participating in awareness campaign].

The spring event focuses attention on what has become one of  the most important tools in early breast cancer detection.

According to the National Cancer Institute mammogram screenings can help reduce the number of breast cancer deaths in women ages 40 to 74.

All month long, Asbury Park will join other Jersey Shore comminities in bringing awareness to breast cancer prevention, detection, and treatments.

Sponsored locally by the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, women pledge to have their annual testing and have a chance to sponsor another woman’s screening through Meridian’s Pink Fund.

The fund offers financial assistance for uninsured and underserved women.

Waterfront redeveloper iStar Residential [one of Meridian’s many Pink Partners] will kick off the city’s campaign by hosting a free 9:30 a.m. Pink Yoga class at its Information Center at 200 Cookman Avenue.

Led by yoga instructor Allison McGrath, attendees will be given a pink yoga mat and an opportunity to donate to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, event spokeswoman Natalie Hernandez of Relevance New York said.

Hernandez said Pink Partners [participating businesses and organizations] are offering everything from discounts and special merchandise to adorning their structures and websites in pink.

“Pink Partners” include iStar Residential and the following:

• Talula’s – debuting a new cocktail for Pink Saturday, the Kir Rose cocktail – Rosé, Giffard Pamplemousse, Greenhook American Dry Gin and a cucumber slice

• Robert Legere – 40-% – 50% off all area rugs and red tagged home furnishings on Pink Saturday

• Posh Den – Pink refreshments served 12noon-5pm, 10% discount on select pink jewelry

• Costal Habitat ReStore – Wear pink and get a 10% discount off one item

• Juice Beach – 10% off strawberry power protein shake or strawberry shortcake smoothie

• Old Glory Tattoo Co. -50% off a selection of breast cancer related tattoos on Pink Saturday and a 20% discount through the month of May

• Tao Massage– All visitors wearing pink will receive a complementary organic nontoxic deodorant sample from Bod Bar in Asbury Park throughout the month of May and all clients wearing pink to their appointment will receive the organic nontoxic deodorant sample and 10% off services and retail

• Words!– 10% of all sales on Pink Saturday will go to the Pink Fund

• Dawg Joint– Pink dog treats

• DJ’s Delights – Pink storefront, pink staff t-shirts and patrons can purchase a pink ornament to be placed on the “Pink Tree” in the storefront (Donations of $5, $10, $20) and the proceeds will go towards the Pink Fund

• Madison Marquette– Pink gobo lights in the carousel, casino and convention hall

• St. Stephens Church– 100 pink bows placed on Springwood Avenue fence line

• Johnny Mac– 100 pink bows, banners and window decor in pink.  They will offer pink mimosas and free omelets on Pink Saturday 10am – 3pm.  Meet and greet with Asbury’s Paint the Town Pink spokesperson Nanci Smith

• B&G Home Interiors– 10% off all non-sale merchandise all month

• Dino’s on Main– Pink pasta and pink marshmallows will be served for Pink Saturday

• Oasis Home– 10% off all items for Pink Saturday

• Toast– Pink velvet pancakes being served all month

• Nita Ideas– Pink fortune cookies with a discount inside all month

• Foolish Ginger– anyone wearing pink gets 10% off their entire purchase, including sale items, for Pink Saturday

• Lola’s– Pink gelato being served for Pink Saturday

• Wonder Bar– Pink Pugapalooza for Pink Saturday 1pm – 5pm.  There will be pugs, drinks and food.  All dogs will be given a pink bandana.  $5 donation at door goes to Curly Tail Pug Rescue.

• Confections of a Rock$tar– Pink cupcakes served all month long

• Kula Cafe– Pink lemonade and pink cupcakes being served for Pink Saturday

• Asbury Park Fire Department– Pink flags and magnets on five firetrucks, pink shirts and pink logo

• Asbury Park Police Department– Pink magnets on cars and pink bows on Headqu The crossing guards will also be wearing pink ribbon corsages

• City Hall– Paint the Town Pink banner and bows on street line of parking lot

• City’s digital sign– “Think Pink” rotating message

• Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce– Pink logo, pink Facebook

——————————————————-

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

---