The month of October is marked by weather that is slightly below scorching, fall clothing, pumpkin spice everything, and Susan G. Komen’s conquest of the world by turning everything imaginable pink.

Starting October 1, companies offer discounts for pink merchandise, schools across the nation become decked out with pink posters, and NFL players aport pink gloves, socks, and shoes. October means that it is breast cancer awareness month, and each and every year I am asked why I do not participate.

Everyone knows that October is breast cancer awareness month, but did you know what September is ovarian cancer awareness month?

To be fair, I wouldn’t either if it weren’t for a family member who was affected with ovarian cancer when I was in eighth grade.

Cancer is a horrible, awful disease and everyone knows that cancer has a huge impact on millions of people and their families every year, but you don’t truly understand it’s impact until someone in your immediate family says “I have cancer.”

My family was lucky that the cancer was found in it’s early stage, as ovarian cancer isn’t often detected in it’s early stages. In fact, ovarian cancer is known as the silent killer because there is no way to detect it early like you can with breast cancer. My family member’s cancer was found during an unrelated surgery, but so many other women and their families are not so lucky.

Not all women’s cancers are pink, and not all cancers are represented by pink. Breast cancer needs to be cured, but other cancers deserve to have just as much awareness for a cure as well. There shouldn’t be so much focus and energy on a single cancer and organization that doesn’t even donate the majority of its proceeds. There should be emphasis on curing all cancers and raising money for general cancer research, and not just for a single cancer and a single organization.

As a senior, I have yet to participate in a single Pink Out dress up day. My decision to wear teal and not pink is a personal one that has earned me snarky comments in class and in the halls, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.