It's time to join the battle in promoting breast cancer awareness in Lincoln County.

Cabinet Peaks Medical Center and Glacier Bank are leading the way as they sponsor the Paint it Pink Fun Run later this month. It doesn't matter if you run or walk, the goal is raise money to help area folks have access to fee mammograms.

The Fun Run will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. Whether you prefer to walk, jog, or run, everyone is welcome to join in.

But there is concern that the event won't exist for long if there isn't more community involvement.

Glacier Bank Vice President George Mercer is worried about the run's future.

"Right now due to loss of participation over the year and lack of registration we could potentially lose this event," Mercer said. "The Lincoln County community has been utilizing our Paint it Pink fund for 18 years to help those in need with funding to provide mammograms for men and women. The funds raised stay 100% in our community and help our friends and family.

"Everyone in our area has had a friend or family member go through the tough times related to breast cancer and the stress it brings. The PIP fund is designed to help individuals with funding to hopefully protect and monitor those in need," Mercer said.

Dating back to 2007, Glacier Bank partnered with Cabinet Peaks Medical Center to provide a walk/run to raise funds for the PIP program. Currently 100% of the proceeds raised at the PIP walk/run go directly into the program funds. 

"On behalf of the hundreds of individuals who have benefited from the program we are asking that anyone and everyone please participate in the event on Oct. 18. The cost to participate is only $30 and it goes to such a great cause," Mercer said. "This year we are asking that you talk to your neighbors, friends and families and reach out to join the event and be a part of a great cause."

Mercer urged community members to reach out to him to help bring the event back to life in support of the Lincoln County residents who are going through a very difficult time while fighting breast cancer. His phone number is 406-751-4785.

So far in 2025, Paint It Pink has already provided just under 80 mammogram services to local residents. These services make early detection possible and save lives. 

"With your help, we want to do even more," said Mercer.

The 5K and 10K fun run and walk will begin and end at the medical center.

Registration is $30 for each adult. Registration for youth from the age of 8 to 18 is $15 and kids 7 and under are free.

Entry forms are available at glacierbank.com or stop by Glacier Bank.

After the event, participants can enjoy music, a bubble machine, and a photo booth to capture their best pink moments. A taco and nacho bar will also be available for just $7 per person, giving everyone a chance to refuel, relax and celebrate together.

"Cabinet Peaks Medical Center (CPMC) is excited to host the Paint It Pink Fun Run, a high-energy, community-wide event dedicated to raising funds for mammograms for men and women in Lincoln County," said Paula Collins, Paint It Pink Coordinator. “This is not just about putting one foot in front of the other. It is about putting power behind our purpose,” Collins added. “Every registration, every dollar and every showing of support helps ensure more men and women in Lincoln County have access to crucial mammograms.”

The Paint It Pink program and fundraising effort began in 2007 when the Cabinet Peaks Foundation was raising funds to purchase digital mammography equipment. 

The fundraising activities were so successful that once the equipment was secured, a committee shifted the program’s focus from equipment to community. From there, a free mammography program was born.

Since that time, Paint It Pink has raised more than $150,000 and has helped more than 400 local men and women receive free mammograms. In recent years, the program has expanded to raise funds for education, to support the detection and treatment of breast cancer locally, and to provide breast ultrasounds in addition to mammograms when clinically necessary.

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second-most common cancer in women in the United States behind only skin cancers. It accounts for about 30% of all new female cancers each year.

The Society's estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2025 are: 

- About 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women. 

- About 59,080 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) will be diagnosed.  

- About 42,170 women will die from breast cancer.

- About 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men and about 510 men will die from breast cancer.

"We invite everyone, runners, walkers, families and friends, to color Lincoln County pink with us," Collins said. "Let us make 2025 the year we reach even more people, strengthen awareness and expand access to life-saving screenings."