From a women’s bartending competition to a 24-hour pickleball marathon, Cayman’s breast cancer awareness month calendar has plenty of ways to get involved. Events began this weekend and run through November, with fundraisers, discounted mammograms and health talks on Grand Cayman, as well as a walk and free health fair on Cayman Brac.

While October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Breast Cancer Foundation’s work continues year-round. Chief administrator Beverly Edgington said the team had delivered 50 community presentations by the end of August and expects to give about 100 by year’s end, visiting workplaces, sports clubs and schools to talk about breast health and early detection.

“It’s a community effort in October,” she said, “but we do this work 365 days a year.”

Here are some of the events taking place across Cayman in the weeks ahead.

Speed Rack Cayman returns for its sixth year with a bartending competition that puts women in the spotlight while raising money for the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation. At the qualifying round on Monday, 28 Sept. at 8pm at The Bird, each bartender will race against the clock to make the same four cocktails for four judges. They will be judged on accuracy as well as speed, with the top eight advancing to the finals at Sandbar on, 12 Nov. at 8pm. Experienced competitors and first timers are welcome; anyone interested can message @speedrackcayman or contact organiser Amba Lamb at 516-2378.

Speed Rack Ryde gets the fundraising started a day earlier, with a charity ride at RYDE on Sunday, 27 Sept. Participants can book a bike, bring friends and join the group ride in support of the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation. A complimentary drink awaits riders afterward, and they can keep the momentum going by cheering on the bartenders at The Bird the following night.

The Breast Cancer Foundation will hold its annual gala dinner on 3 Oct., from 6pm to 11.59pm at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Marking the foundation’s 17th anniversary, the event will feature guest speaker Dr. Corrine Ellsworth Beaumont, founder of the Know Your Lemons Foundation, whose work focuses on making breast cancer symptoms and screening easier to understand. The dinner will raise funds for the foundation’s early detection initiatives, wellness programmes and patient care in Cayman. Those unable to attend can support the event by donating a prize for the live or silent auction, or by volunteering. To offer your time, email Beverly Edgington at bev@bcfcayman.com.

OceanMed will host “Mammos and Mimosas” on 8 Oct., from 4 to 8.30pm, offering 15% off breast screenings in a relaxed setting. The event includes 3D mammograms, with an ultrasound if needed, and mimosas for attendees. Spaces are limited, and OceanMed is asking participants to book a screening slot in advance. To book a slot, call OceanMed at 946-2326, email info@oceanmed.ky or use its online appointment form. OceanMed is on the second floor of Bayshore Mall in George Town.

The Breast Cancer Foundation is holding its first annual Flag Day on 10 Oct., collecting donations at locations including Foster’s supermarkets, Kirk Market, Hurley’s and Camana Bay. Collections will continue until about 5.30pm. Volunteers are welcome and can contact the foundation at 923-1135 or info@bcfcayman.com.

The Brenda Tibbetts-Lund Memorial Breast Cancer Awareness Run/Walk returns to Seven Mile Public Beach on 11 Oct., with a 5K walk, 5K run and 10K run starting at 6am. Organised by the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens, the event raises funds for its Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, which helps provide mammograms and assistance with overseas treatment and related costs. Registration is CI$25 for adults and CI$10 for those aged 17 and under. Online registration closes at 11pm on 9 Oct. The first 300 registrants will receive an event T-shirt. Medals will be awarded to the top three male and female runners, and all participants will receive a medal. For queries, call 936-1739 or email bcawareness@gmail.com

The Breast Cancer Foundation will take part in the Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, from 22 to 24 Oct. This year’s theme is “Building Healthier Communities: Advancing Personalised, Preventive, Predictive, and Participatory Care.”

An education and fundraising event aimed at younger women is planned for Lucky Rabbit in Grand Harbour on 29 Oct. The Breast Cancer Foundation will give a presentation alongside Dr. Bella Beraha, focusing on breast health and early detection.

Dink for Pink returns 6-7 Nov. for a 24-hour pickleball marathon benefiting the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation. Starting at 5pm Friday, teams will keep two players on court at a time, rotating every 90 minutes or at the end of a best-of-five match, whichever comes first. The team with the most match wins by 5pm Saturday takes the title. Individuals can enter the “Pickle Me Pink” challenge, and anyone can make a donation to play against a Pickleball Cayman pro. Spectators are welcome throughout the event for games, food, music and fundraising activities. Prizes will also recognise the team that raises the most sponsorship, along with the best team name and costume, before an awards party at The Roost. Last year’s inaugural event raised more than CI$73,000.

The Cayman Islands Cancer Society has three events planned for Cayman Brac. The Cayman Islands Cancer Society’s Cayman Brac Stride Against Cancer on 11 October begins with registration at 6.30am, followed by a 7am walk from Cayman Brac Beach Resort to Foster’s Corner and back. A free health fair, organised jointly with the Breast Cancer Foundation, follows the event from 8.30am to 11.30am in the resort’s conference room. It will feature health checks, presentations, information booths, giveaways, refreshments and door prizes. The society will also hold its annual Cayman Brac and Little Cayman Cancer Thrivers Dinner by invitation only. For details, contact Connie Godet at 917-8670 or connie.godet@gmail.com.