October is the month to “Think Pink,” the time of year we focus on ways to find a cure for breast cancer, a disease that affects about one in eight women and is the second largest cause of death by cancer in the U.S.
Publicity and press release distribution have been key to increase awareness of the disease, foster compassion for survivors and inspire them to travel. Several companies have special offers and fund-raising deals which they plan to reinstate after the global pandemic eases. Here’s a sampling, starting with a resort that offers comfort and support to survivors and their families all year round.
Singer Island Retreat Fights for a Cure All Year
Unique in being Palm Beach County’s only all-suite beachfront hotel, the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa also shines out for its specially trained spa staff who work with cancer survivors. Guests ages 16 and older who’ve been struck by cancer, for example, are able to enjoy Beachfront Yoga sessions or a wellness massage especially designed for them.
Choose a manicure or pedicure, full body massage, facial, Dilo Wrap of vitamins to nourish the skin, and light touch Reiki sessions to promote healing from the SiSpa Comfort Care Classics menu. Best yet, caregivers who accompany cancer survivors to the spa get 20% off treatments for themselves. (Note that SiSpa is open to non-resort guests as well with advance booking.)
Florida Resort Caters to Cancer Surviving Families
Families will love the location on Singer Island, a barrier island between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway. The contemporary highrise resort has 193 suites offering condo-style living for a comfortable and luxurious multigenerational family vacation.
On property, there are opportunities for biking, kayaking, snorkeling as well as surfing. Try a session or improve your skills in golf, tennis and yoga. The large lagoon pool has a waterslide that stays busy, and a separate infinity pool promises tranquility in private cabanas.
The award-winning SiSpa reports that it draws guests from all over with its sea-inspired therapies of all kinds — the Voyage of the Si Chakra and Replenishing Sargasso Seaweed are two favorites — so you should plan a pampering session for everyone. And when you’re ready, the kids can check into the Kids Club for ages 4-12.
That is, unless you’re celebrating Pink Month by treating little ones to mani pedis of their own.
Los Angeles Resort Donates to the Cause
The oceanfront Sisley Spa offers a Pink Himalayan Sea Salt Body Ritual to promote relaxation, detoxification and hydration. The 90-minute treatment begins with a vigorous body scrub using the coarse pink sea salt, followed by a rub of aromatic essential oils and a warm oil scalp massage.
This Spa oasis is located in the AAA 5-diamond Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey overlooking the harbor. Take advantage of its facilities, including a heated outdoor pool and hot tub, whether you’re hotel guests and non-guests, as long as you’re over age 16. Most body treatments are priced at $185, and 5% of the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Passengers Learn and Give at Sea
For travelers who’d rather be at sea, the Italy-based Costa Cruises is sponsoring a “Pink is Good” project onboard nine ships on Mediterranean routes. Breast cancer affects 48,000 women in Italy each year, and special activities and educational sessions will promote awareness, provide prevention tips, raise funds for research, and find a cure. During October, cruise passengers will learn from in-cabin videos, onboard materials and high level researchers at the Fondazione Umberto Veronesi, and help fund a scholarship for a deserving young Italian researcher.
Special at sea events will include a “Pink Day,” when the sale of non-alcoholic pink cocktails and pink masks for a costume ball are among many ways to donate to the cause. Guests can also contribute through an onboard marathon, special photo sessions and more. Costa is one of five Carnival Cruise PLC brands (including Holland America, Princess, Carnival and the Yachts of Seabourn) raising money for breast cancer with “On Deck for the Cure” group events, shipboard education and fund-raisers.
Drink for a Cure in Washington D.C.
The Embassy Row Hotel in Washington D.C. has designed a variety of community events for the fall season. To support Breast Cancer Awareness Month on a typical year, guests might take a rooftop yoga class followed by browsing a Kendra Scott Rose Gold Roadshow Pop-Up. While cocktails are served in Station Kitchen & Cocktails, shoppers can select pieces for themselves knowing that 20% of sales go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Buy something and a matching item is gifted to a local breast cancer patient or survivor through Breast Care for Washington or The Betty Lou Ourisman Breast Health Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
We love this: Station Kitchen & Cocktails continues its Wednesday evening Support a Cause Happy Hours year round. From 4pm-7pm you can designate where you want to raise funds, and the hotel will donate $1 per beer or wine ordered to a designated charity.
Share other ways you’ve discovered to give back on your travels in the Comments field below.
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