def dateFormattingAnchor (date):
    """Aids in ensuring date format is correct by checking for comma.

    .. note::
        Integral to dateValidation as of current version; subject to change.

    :param str date: The date string which should be in MMMM DD, YYYY format.
    :return: The index of the fist comma or -1 if none is found
    :rtype: int
    """
    comma = -1
    for i in range(len(date)):
        if date[i] == ",":
            comma = i
            break

    return comma