October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Stacey Petrosino would like everyone to be aware of it.

Petrosino, who founded R.I.S.E (Reaching and Inspiring Survivors Everywhere) after being diagnosed with breast cancer, is coordinating the fourth annual Walk for R.I.S.E event this weekend in downtown Auburn.

The walk is intended to raise awareness about breast cancer and to raise money for individuals diagnosed with the disease.

In anticipation of the event and the month, R.I.S.E has put up pink lights outside of Memorial City Hall and will decorate the city with pink ribbons.

Petrosino, who lives along East Genesee Street, is also hoping to put up pink lights at the Hoopes Park bandstand.

"I'm going to put as many (ribbons) as I can downtown," she said.

"This is all just to show that I care and that people care."

This year, the Rise and Ride motorcycle trip around Owasco Lake is a new additions.

Petrosino is also allowing people to drive cars during the ride, since several people called her with an interest in participating.

The walk, held on Sunday, has grown, drawing more participants, vendors and supporters.

All proceeds from the walk go to assist people through R.I.S.E.

"Breast cancer's not going away; let's face it. ... I'd like the first weekend in October to be all about breast cancer awareness," she said. "(R.I.S.E. is) not about finding a cure; it's about showing that people care."

R.I.S.E provides financial assistance to individuals with breast cancer who are in need and provides a social outlet for individuals to talk about their experiences with others.

"It's a common bond," she said.

"You don't have that with your family and friends, because that one piece is missing."

In the past year, the organization has assisted a 59-year-old woman who could not afford monthly medications, a 41-year-old single mom who needed a new wig and a 21-year-old who needed help with medical payments, among others.

The group paid to help one woman fix her car so that she wouldn't lose her job and insurance without having reliable transportation.

Petrosino said R.I.S.E has spent several thousand dollars this year for individuals with financial needs. Individuals come to the organization when they have financial needs they can't control after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

For those who aren't financially strapped, the organization provides support.

"Everyone that's there is there from the heart," Petrosino said.

"We get a lot of people out to show that they care."

Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or anne.gleason@lee.net