October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Atlantic City's nine casinos are banding together to support the yearly campaign that promotes early identification and research.

October has been the national month to raise awareness of breast cancer since it was established in 1985 through a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical branch of Imperial Chemical Industries, now known as AstraZeneca. Casinos in Atlantic City are commemorating the month once more with a number of programs.

"Breast cancer impacts families in every community, but thanks to advances in detection and treatment, survival rates continue to rise. Each October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Atlantic City casinos stand united with our employees, guests, and the greater community to raise awareness and shine a light on this important cause,” said Mark Giannantonio, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) and Resorts Casino Hotel.

“Atlantic City casinos remain committed to supporting groundbreaking research, promoting early detection, and ensuring care for all those impacted by this disease,” Giannantonio added.

Lights in Pink

Atlantic City casinos will use pink lights on their facades and atop their hotel towers for the duration of the month.

Awareness of breast cancer is linked to the color pink. Participants in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure started receiving pink ribbons in 1991. Additionally, pink is associated with compassion and femininity.

Borgata, Ocean, Hard Rock, Resorts, and Caesars Entertainment's three casinos (Caesars, Harrah's, and Tropicana) all intend to light up their establishments pink. Male employees at Golden Nugget will compete to raise the most money for breast cancer research by wearing pink.

Throughout the month, Hard Rock will be serving a pink cocktail, with a part of the sales going to breast cancer. Similar pink cocktail specials are being offered by Caesars, which has donated $1 from each drink to the Men Wear Pink campaign of the American Cancer Society. Additionally, Resorts is selling a pink cosmopolitan, with the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

According to Golden Nugget, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer will get donated gaming vouchers. Resorts is contributing its voucher buckets to the Greater Philadelphia Men Wear Pink campaign.

Additionally, team members can get complimentary on-site mammograms at the Borgata and Caesars locations.

Click here for a comprehensive list of all breast cancer awareness events held at Atlantic City casinos.

Statistics about Breast Cancer

With the exception of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in the US. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer makes up over 30% of all new cases of cancer in women each year.

Including both active patients and those who have finished treatment, the group estimates that there are over four million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Localized breast cancer has a five-year survival rate of more than 99%, which is the lowest grade on the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) scale. With a Distant SEER diagnosis, which indicates that the cancer has migrated to distant organs including the liver, lungs, or bones, the five-year survival rate is only 32%.