National Breast Cancer Awareness Month started in 1985 as a campaign to encourage women to schedule mammograms and has grown over the years into a global opportunity to move from awareness into action. To us at Kong Management Group, that shows the power of communities coming together in support of a cause. It’s more than just wearing a pink ribbon; National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is our chance to join in community activities to educate people about preventative measures and honor those we’ve lost to the disease.

You likely know someone diagnosed with breast cancer if you haven’t been affected personally. About one in eight women and one in 1000 men in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime.

While there is no sure way to prevent cancer, there are ways to lower your risks. Some risk factors are outside of your control, like your gender or age, but you can make certain lifestyle changes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control advises you to limit the alcohol you drink, maintain a healthy weight, and get physically active. Eating a healthy diet, rich in plant-based foods, and drinking lots of water can also decrease your risk of some types of cancer.

Performing self-examinations and scheduling regular mammograms are good ways to monitor breast health. The American College of Radiology recommends that women start getting annual mammograms at age 40. For men, it’s important to look for any signs or symptoms, including swelling, skin dimpling, or redness, and to contact their doctor for testing.

For those diagnosed with cancer, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute is a leading cancer center and incredible community resource. Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt is ranked as the 11th cancer hospital in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in the state of Florida.

In addition to making healthy lifestyle changes and regular screening, we encourage you to support reputable nonprofit organizations, like the Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Foundation, and to participate in their local fundraising events. Every year, the Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Foundation hosts “Miles for Moffit” to raise funds for life-saving cancer research. This year’s event takes place both virtually and in downtown Tampa on November 20, 2021. 

The Cancer Society also holds annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” events across the nation. You can find more information about local events or other ways to contribute to the cause online.

If you’re contributing to a local event, visiting Moffitt for treatment, or supporting a loved one with breast cancer, we are here for you. As a family-owned and operated business, Kong Management Group is committed to creating a safe, secure, and quality living experience for all renters. Our properties, located in Tampa Bay, Zephyrhills, and Hallandale Beach, Florida, are clean and well-maintained, and our communities are welcoming.

But even more than that, having a sanitary place to stay is essential, especially for cancer patients and their families. Through Kong Vacation Homes, we offer sanitized, spacious, and private single-family accommodations with both short- and long-term rentals available. Two of our Kong Vacation Homes properties, the Sun Villa and the USF Hideaway, are located in the University of South Florida area, in very close proximity to Moffitt.

The close-knit communities we have created also provide a network of support for our residents. At our multi-family properties, including RV/mobile home parks (for ages 55+) like The Oaks at Zephyrhills and The Village of Zephyrhills, we encourage our residents to build community connections through pot-luck dinners, community clubs, and charitable events. In fact, giving back to the community is one of Kong Management Group’s core values!

We consider our residents and guests to be an extension of our family, and our property managers are standing by as a resource for you, especially if you or someone you love is impacted by cancer. There is strength in communities when they come together, and we hope you’ll join ours. If you’d like more information about Kong Management Group or the properties we manage, please call 866-499-9026 or email info@kongmanagementgroup.com .