Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

At any other time of year, the red towing response vessels of the on-water TowBoatUS towing fleet are helping recreational boaters get home after their boats have broken down or run aground. However, in October, seven TowBoatUS response boats across the country were turned pink to bring the message of breast cancer awareness to the water in hopes of saving lives and finding a cure for a disease that affects 1 in every 8 women.

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, this year an estimated 297,790 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. However, if caught in its earliest, localized stages, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%. Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years, and there are currently over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. The National Breast Cancer Foundation offers early detection tips including monthly breast self-exams and how to schedule a mammogram.

"As boating industry leaders and local community members, our local TowBoatUS towing companies wholeheartedly agree that breast cancer is worthy of our undivided attention as Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches," said TowBoatUS spokesperson Scott Croft. "These companies have been personally impacted by this terrible disease. Changing seven of our on-water response vessels from red to pink is a simple, impactful and meaningful effort to raise awareness and seek out donations to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Coming together from all across the country to show support in our individual communities as well as a whole organization is incredibly important to us all."