Several events around Connecticut are focusing on breast cancer awareness this month.

Sunday is American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. News 12 is a media sponsor of the event.

The main message of the event is early detection.

"I want to emphasize the importance of coming in every year for a screening mammogram. For women age 40 and over. And if a woman is high risk, that screening should start even sooner," says Dr. Mia Kazanjian, the co-director of Stamford Health Breast Center.

In Milford, a weeklong "pink out" at Lauralton Hall High School is leading up to the Maryann Wasil Daisy Run, named in honor of a breast cancer patient.

"The girls have organized a lot of things, a lot of bake sales...They really get behind the spirit of raising money and raising awareness for breast cancer. They're aware of its impact." says Beth Coyne, the head of the school.