From pink paper links to a pink rink, October marks the fundraising epicenter for the First Friday Committee of Corpus Christi. The volunteer organization provides free mammograms for Coastal Bend men and women who otherwise cannot afford them. Since 1994, in collaboration with Christus Spohn Hospitals, the group has helped more than 16,000 people receive free mammograms, saving thousands of lives through early detection.
An average of 1,000 women utilize the First Friday free mammograms every year, said Lamar Graves, the group's chairperson. 
"The cost of each mammogram is $75,” Graves said. “They have gone up this year, and we rely on support from donations to keep our program going.” 
One of the fundraisers the group is promoting this month is Pink Links, a paper chain of links formed through $5 donations for each of three different shades of pink. One shade represents patients currently fighting breast cancer, another supports those whose loved ones are fighting breast cancer and the third is in memory of lost loved ones.
"Donors can choose a pink link and write their name or the name of their loved one on it,” Graves said. “Each becomes a link in the chain that connects people with the best tools in the battle against breast cancer, which is access to mammograms and early detection.” 
Every Saturday this October, First Friday volunteers will be at local shopping centers promoting the Pink Link fundraiser. All of the proceeds go toward free breast cancer screening for Coastal Bend men and women between the ages of 40 and 64 who lack the funds or insurance to pay for a yearly mammogram.
“Usually, at 65, most people qualify for Medicare,” Graves said. “We can also accept someone at age 35 if that person has a family history of breast cancer.” 
Qualified recipients must provide a Social Security number, an ID with a valid address and a phone number. All money raised stays in the Corpus Christi community. 
To help the organization, people are being asked to promote the Pink Link fundraiser through social media. Supporters can also help through regular donations, some of which come from other organizations. The firefighters of Corpus Christi support First Friday through their CARE program.
The IceRays are hosting a "Pink in the Rink" event at the American Bank Center on Oct 29. First Friday will be selling players’ jerseys at the game. 

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

Money is not the only way to help the First Friday Committee’s cause. Anyone can join the group and volunteer. 
“Cancer touches so many lives, whether it's yourself or a loved one,” Graves said. “Even if you aren't affected personally but just want to help out.” 
The group meets from noon to 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month inside the Christus Spohn Cancer Center at 1415 Santa Fe.
“Right now, we need volunteers to help work at our fundraising tables at La Palmera mall every Saturday in October,” Graves said. “We have two shifts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Newbies can learn by joining us and watching.” 
As a breast cancer survivor, Graves considers herself blessed with the gift of early detection, which has kept her cancer-free for more than 30 years. She gave herself monthly self-breast exams, something First Friday strongly advocates. In fact, the name First Friday is a reminder to do self-exams every first Friday of the month. 
“One day, I discovered a small lump that, at first, I dismissed for a mole,” she said. She then got a mammogram and discovered it was an early stage tumor. “After having it surgically removed, I never had to go through chemo or radiation because we caught it so early," Graves continued. 
Since then, she has volunteered in support of cancer organizations and has been with the First Friday Committee for 12 years.
"You have to have a passion for this, you have to want to help others,” she said. “This is a wonderful organization because it feels so rewarding to know that you're personally helping to save lives."

The First Friday Committee is located inside the Christus Spohn Cancer Center at 1415 Santa Fe in Corpus Christi. For more information on donating or volunteering, call 
(361) 985-5600 or visit firstfridaycc.org.