Pink fountain to usher in Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Springfield


Wednesday

Free Bra and Breast Prosthesis Fitting: A free bra and breast prosthesis fitting is available 9-11 a.m. at Springfield Regional Cancer Center. Fittings will be by Wanda Moore, a Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) certified mastectomy fitter. Appointments are requested. Call Ann Hembree at 937-323-5001, ext.5567, for more information or to schedule a fitting.

Downtown Fountain Turns Pink: In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the fountain at Fountain Square Esplanade will run pink.

Oct. 7 and 14

Breast Cancer Survivorship Series: Springfield Regional Cancer Center offers a two-part series on breast cancer survivorship. Participants may attend one or both sessions presented by Sarah Hagenbuch, RN, OCN with Springfield Hematology Oncology Associates, Inc.

•Session One: “Taking Care While in Cancer Treatment” describes the stages families typically go through when a loved one is receiving treatment. Learn ways to better self-care, communicate and allow others to care for us.

•Session Two: “I Finished My Treatment, Now What?” covers topics such as transitioning to a new normal, what to expect at follow-up appointments and managing fears and anxiety about the future.

Both sessions take place in the Springfield Regional Cancer Center Community Room, 5-6 p.m. No charge to attend. RSVP: 937-323-3009

Oct. 9

Champaign County Fashions to a Tea: "Breast Cancer … It's a Family Affair" at the Champaign County Fairgrounds 4H Building, the evening recognizes and honors breast cancer survivors and is presented by Breast Friends Forever of Champaign County and Mercy Memorial Hospital. Vendor booths with jewelry, Tupperware, Mary Kay and other items are available for shopping starting at 5 p.m. The catered dinner is at 6. A fashion show with breast cancer survivors rounds out the evening. Tickets are $12. For table reservations, contact Brenda Hollar at 614-866-9552.

Oct. 9

Lymphedema Education: Lymphedema is a possible side effect of breast cancer treatment. An opportunity to learn about this condition takes place at 2:30 p.m. at Springfield Regional Cancer Center. The presenter is Kitty Zeunen with Excel Rehab. No registration is required. Admission is free. For more information, call Ann Hembree at 937-323-5001, ext. 5567.

Oct. 10

Foods for the Fight: Learn about nutrition for those in cancer treatment. This information session takes place in the lobby of Springfield Regional Cancer Center at 10 a.m., presented by Kathryn Hines, registered dietitian from Springfield Regional Medical Center. No registration is required. Admission is free. For more information, call Ann Hembree at 937-323-5001, ext. 5567.

Oct. 11

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk: Join the American Cancer Society's premier event to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. This non-competitive, 5K walk unites the community to help people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back. The annual walk takes place at 9 a.m., starting in front of Springfield Regional Cancer Center, 148 W. North St. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. For more information, contact Jesse Purcell at jesse.purcell@cancer.org or 888-227-6446.

Oct. 16, 23 & Nov. 6, 13

Gentle Practices for People Living with Cancer and Their Caregivers: Springfield Regional Cancer Center presents a series of gentle movement classes using stretches and postures to increase flexibility, improve balance, relax muscles and calm your mind. The classes, directed by registered yoga teacher Carmen Milano, are open to anyone who has cancer and caregivers. The series of four classes will be at the Cancer Center, 4-4:30 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome. Cost is only $3 per session due to a generous grant by the Community Mercy Foundation. For more information, call 937-323-3009.

Oct. 23

How Well Do You Know Your Breasts?: Learn about breast cancer risks, detection and the use of genetic testing from Jennifer Daniels, MD, board-certified surgeon with SAS Surgery and Vein Specialists. The program takes place at noon at Springfield Regional Medical Center in the Private Dining Room (near the cafeteria). Admission is free. RSVP: 937-323-3009.

Oct. 23

Ladies Night Out for Breast Health - Give Cancer the Boot!: This year's theme for the Annual Ladies Night Out for Breast Health is Give Cancer the Boot! This fun event takes place at Courtyard by Marriott, Downtown Springfield. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the program begins at 5:30. Tickets are $8 each and include dinner, dessert and a special beverage. Space is limited. All seating reserved. Tickets are available at the Springfield Regional Cancer Center front desk, while supplies last. For more information, call Ann Hembree at 937-323-5001, ext. 5567.

The Fountain Square Esplanade fountain will run pink Wednesday to signify the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Community Mercy Health Partners is using this event and several others throughout October to increase awareness for breast health and breast cancer, said Ann Hembree, psychosocial coordinator at the Springfield Regional Cancer Center.

“It’s a good opportunity to learn, to receive the offered services and to join with others in the community,” she said. “We’re sharing a lot of good information about breast cancer and breast health.”

The events are designed to make it easy for the community to learn more, Hembree said, and for women to receive mammograms.

“It’s very important to build awareness of breast cancer and the need for annual mammograms,” she said.

Some events, such as the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk” and the “How Well Do You Know Your Breasts” program, are to educate and raise funds for breast cancer.

Others are for cancer survivors and those currently fighting breast cancer, Hembree said, along with their families. The Cancer Center is offering free bra and prosthesis fittings, as well as seminars and gentle movement classes, for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

A special event, the “Champaign County Fashions to a Tea: Breast Cancer… It’s a Family Affair,” will be held in Urbana to recognize and honor breast cancer survivors.

Most events are open to the community, Hembree said. She said those unable to attend can also receive mammograms and assistance with breast health from the center’s mobile mammogram units and breast care specialists throughout the year.

“The whole purpose is to support women in the community,” she said, “to raise awareness of breast cancer and breast health, and to support the survivors in the community.”

For more information on breast health, contact Valerie Briner, the breast health navigator at the Cancer Center, at 937-342-5975. To schedule a mammogram, call 937-328-8100.

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