For Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer (BBBC), actively promoting breast cancer awareness is certainly a year-round role; still, with the start of October, you could say the nonprofit organization has really amped up its efforts.

Fresh off unveiling this year's version of the “Protect the Puppies” short-sleeve t-shirt, BBBC began Breast Cancer Awareness Month by partnering with UGA’s Ice Dawgs hockey team for its games this Thursday and Friday, and the Bulldogs’ Spike Squad and Paint Line for Georgia’s football game on Saturday.

“All three groups are very excited about this collaboration, and about making this an annual event,” said Dwight Standridge who, along with his wife, Leslie, help run BBBC. “They’re excited for every October going forward to come together to raise money and promote awareness locally for Bulldogs Battling Breast Cancer.”

For BBBC, which was founded in 2004 by Jay and Teresa Abbott, promoting breast cancer awareness locally includes 100 percent of donations made to the organization going to “Teresa’s Hope” Fund of St. Mary’s Hospital. In turn, the Athens hospital purchases new equipment, gives free mammograms for those who qualify, as well as educational literature and the like for its patients. To date, BBBC has raised $750,000 to fight breast cancer.

For this weekend, donations of any amount can be pledged for each of the combined hockey goals scored by the Ice Dawgs on Thursday, October 4, against Clemson, and Friday, October 5, versus the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB). Both hockey games will be played at the Akins Ford Arena at The Classic Center in Athens. Specifically, Friday's Georgia-UAB has been distinguished as “Pink in the Rink.” Spectators are encouraged to wear pink, and pink rally towels will be handed out for the game. The Ice Dawgs will be wearing alternate uniforms, trimmed in pink and displaying a breast cancer ribbon.

All 25 of the Ice Dawgs’ alternate jerseys, which will be revealed this Thursday via social media, will be auctioned off for the BBBC through the end of the Georgia-Florida football game in Jacksonville on October 27.

Speaking of football, donations of any amount can also be pledged for each point scored by the Bulldogs’ football team against Vanderbilt this Saturday, October 6. At the game, both the university’s Spike Squad and Paint Line will be helping the BBBC promote breast cancer awareness. The Spike Squad will not only be wearing customized shoulder pads; it has designed two special sets of shoulder pads—one adult-sized, the other for a child—which will be auctioned off through the end of the Georgia-Florida game toward the end of this month, as well.

In lieu of a pledged or bidded amount, a flat donation can be made to BBBC in memory of a loved one or to celebrate/honor a breast cancer survivor.