By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Everyone knows that pink is the color for breast cancer, but did you know that teal is the color for GYN cancers?

In fact, every cancer has a color: Lung, white; brain, grey; colon, dark blue; and more.

Gov. Robert Bentley has declared by proclamation that Alabama will be “A State of Teal” in September to raise awareness to the signs and symptoms of ovarian and gynecological cancers.

Mary Ann King, for whom the Mary Ann King Book Club and Mary Ann King Memorial Bookcase at the Columbiana Public Library are named, died of a rare, incurable form of fallopian tubes cancer on July 14, 2009.

Her daughter, Jennifer Smiley, helped start “A State of Teal” and is on the state committee. Musician Chuck King of Columbiana has formed The MAKing a Difference Band in honor of his late wife using her initials MAK.

King and his band will volunteer their music at “Game Night, A State of Teal” kickoff party at The Club on Sept. 1.

This is the fourth year for “A State of Teal.” The event began when Allan Rice, director of the Alabama Fire College, wanted to do something extra special for his wife’s birthday as she is a GYN cancer survivor.

He wanted to have the Alabama State Capitol lit up in teal to raise awareness for GYN cancer.

Smiley got involved with his wife Kelly, who is the “A State of Teal” chair along with CanSurvive GYN Cancer Support Group, Laura Crandall Brown Foundation and Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

The hope is that all of Alabama city municipalities issue a GYN Cancer Awareness Proclamation for September and Alabama to light up with teal.

Rux Bentley, whose wife Amanda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago, will light up Rux Carter Insurance Agency on Main Street in Columbiana.

“I am honored to do anything to bring awareness to GYN Cancer,” said Bentley. “There are no tests. If it can happen to my wife, it can happen to anyone. I give thanks to a great team of doctors and Amanda’s diligence on her body that we caught this early. She just received a good report on July 28.”

Help bring awareness and place a teal bow on your mailbox and decorate with teal lights this September! For more information, see Astateofteal.org.