MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - Missouri's Capitol dome was pink this weekend -- but it wasn't cheap!
The Missouri Capitol dome has been lighted in pink this weekend to promote Breast Cancer Awareness month. But it cost more than $7,000 in private donations for rewiring that was necessary to get the job done.
The Capitol dome is one of more than 200 landmarks in 40 countries to participate in the international campaign led by Estee Lauder Companies Inc. First Lady Lori Hauser Holden joined 39 other first ladies across the country in promoting the effort.
"By lighting the Capitol dome in pink we hope to draw attention to breast cancer, which is a very serious health issue for Missouri families, and the importance of early detection and treatment," Holden said in a press release Thursday.
Funds for the lighting of the dome and a ceremony held Friday night were solicited by the first lady from local businesses. The effort is being sponsored in part by the American Cancer Society.
"We're not actually spending any of our own money," said Lynn Schlosser, the organization's director of government operations. "Funds are specifically done for this so we would not be taking away from our mission of finding a cure for cancer."
According to Holden and Schlosser, 3,800 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Missouri alone and another 800 will die from the disease this year.
The dome will be illuminated through Sunday night.
"The stunning sight will serve as a reminder to all of us of the importance of regular breast cancer screenings," Holden said. "[It] will be a tribute to all breast cancer survivors and victims in Missouri."