The Pink Passion support group from Sentara Obici Hospital is encouraging others to step up to fight breast cancer with a shoe-decorating contest to raise money to support breast cancer patients.

For Steppin’ Up – A Truly Artistic Event, contestants can get creative and decorate a pair of women’s shoes or boots to show their support for breast cancer awareness.

Entries can be brought to Sentara Obici until Sept. 30 for an entry fee of $20.

“We’re trying to get the word out, so ladies can show their creativity through decorating shoes,” said Melissa Bassey, the co-facilitator for Pink Passion. “It lets them express themselves.”

She said all of the money collected from the contest will go to the group’s efforts to help women receiving chemotherapy.

“It seems like that’s where help is really needed,” Bassey said.

Pink Passion members visit women in the hospital while they are receiving treatments, and they also prepare chemotherapy care packages for the patients.

Bassey said the chemotherapy portion of cancer treatment can be an especially tough time for women, and the support from cancer survivors can be invaluable.

“To be able to have support from someone who has been through the same thing is very reassuring,” she said.

For the contest, all entries should be created on or around a pair of women’s shoes or boots; however, flip-flops will not be accepted.

The shoes must be partially covered, adorned or embellished in some way, and they can be a part of a bigger piece of artwork that is in line with an overall theme.

Bassey said the group already has received a few entries, including one with the theme of a flower garden.

In addition to the other requirements, entries must be self-supported, so they can be moved easily.

Bassey said she suggests using a shoebox or hatbox as a base for the piece, but anything can be used.

Also, the pieces shouldn’t be more than 14 inches wide, 14 inches deep and 24 inches high.

The decorated shoes will be judged at the Pink Passion Fashion Show Oct. 14 at the Suffolk Cultural Arts Center. The first-prize winner will receive a cash prize, and you do not have to be present at the fashion show to win.

Bassey said the group also to plans to auction off the adorned footwear if the entrant gives the members permission to do so.

“I think it’s a great time for women to have fun, but also help others,” she said. “This is all to support women, and it’s for women.”

For more information on the contest, contact Pat Thornton, the breast cancer patient navigator at Obici, at 934-4331 or Edie Fidler, the secretary at Obici’s Cancer Support Service, at 934-4791.