Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk "COVID-Style" Scheduled for October 1st
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on Tuesday, September 22, 2020
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Put on your PINK and come walk for awareness!
The 15th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is still on for 2020, yet being planned with special COVID-19 formatting that ensures proper social distancing will be maintained. Individuals are encouraged to join in the fun of walking (or running) to celebrate survivors, honor loved ones who have lost their breast cancer battle, support those who are currently undergoing cancer care and help bring attention to the importance of increasing awareness of breast cancer screenings and treatment. The Breast Cancer Awareness Walk is set for Thursday, October 1st, and will be in a “come & go” format from 5-7PM at Spencer Hospital’s Grand Avenue Park.
“The theme for this year’s event is ‘We’re in this Together’ which ties wonderfully into this occasion as women, men, and children are all coming together to provide support and generate awareness of breast health. It’s a theme we’ve used often at Spencer Hospital throughout the COVID-19 health pandemic as our care and support of one another is even more important during these times of uncertainty,” remarked Jeannette Hasley, Spencer Hospital’s Women’s Health Director.
Hasley continued: “One in every eight women in the United States is at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer, so it’s essential to continue to draw attention to the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices and getting routine screenings to hopefully detect breast cancer in early stages.”
The awareness walk is free to attend, with registration open from 4:45 to 6:45 PM. Participants are encouraged to come anytime throughout the 5-7 PM time period to better accomplish proper social distancing of small groups of household members or close friends. Walkers will start and end at the Spencer Hospital Grand Avenue Park, walking a route that will take them through downtown Spencer to the Little Sioux River bridge and back.
“This year our gift for each participant is a custom printed bright pink breast cancer awareness mask rather than t-shirts,” said Sara Taylor, Women’s Health coordinator. “These days everyone can use an extra mask for those times when social distancing isn’t possible and it’s also a fun way to share a message of breast cancer awareness and support. We encourage everyone to dress in pink, so put on one of the t-shirts from a previous year's walk, or a pink jacket, shoes or accessories.”
Good breast care starts with annual health check-ups with your family medicine provider, monthly self-exams, and routine mammograms using Spencer Hospital’s 3D technology performed by experienced, certified mammographers. If a concern is detected, patients work closely with Spencer Hospital’s certified breast health navigators to access resources and information. A person’s care may involve surgery with the team from Northwest Iowa Surgeons, or treatment by the professionals at Abben Cancer Center, or both. A patient may work with the experts at Avera Home Medical to secure prosthetics and accessories. Spencer Hospital’s certified women’s health physical and occupational therapists can provide support in regaining needed strength post-surgery or treatment, or with lymphedema management. It’s a comprehensive team effort, providing highly individualized care.
- cancer
- wellness
- women's health