CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — October is breast cancer awareness month, but early detection and accessibility to mammograms is really something to focus on year-round.

Starting now, you can get involved in community projects that support women’s breast health.

From riding motorcycles to a friendly 5K or crafting some uplifting art,
there is something everyone can do to support breast cancer awareness.

Registration is now open for entries for the 2024 Bra-ha-ha. The annual awards show and auction will take place Oct. 4. The deadline to enter is Friday, Sept. 13.

“We have some very creative individuals in our community, and I’ll tell you, our patients here who come to our center for their mammograms love to see these bras,” said Jennings Outpatient Center Director Kim Whitaker. “They really inspire them and they touch the lives of patients all year-round, not just in the month of October.”

Registration is also open for the Bra-ha-ha 5K, which will take place Sept. 7.

Both events help raise money to provide life-saving screenings to under- and uninsured members of the community.

“We’ve diagnosed probably, I think this year alone, four breast cancer patients on our mobile unit, so that’s very substantial when you think of it,” Whitaker said.

The 3-D Mobile unit will roll up to 10 events from June 7 through Oct. 23, and they’re sponsored by The Pink Ride.

Chesapeake Health Care and the Jennings Center teamed up with the non-profit organization about five years ago. Chesapeake Regional’s mobile unit goes to their events and provides free mammograms to people who don’t have insurance.

Last year’s Bra-ha-ha fundraising events raised about $175,000 to help women in the community.