Living Water quenches local kids’ thirst for love
October 3, 2018
Let’s Go to the Movies
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According to the American Cancer Society, besides skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. There is a one in eight chance a woman in the United States will develop breast cancer—the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American women.
Breast cancer statistics can be alarming, however, across the country, people have been fighting back against this deadly disease, which had a 39 percent decrease in death rates from 1989 to 2015. Battling breast cancer means raisings funds, educating, early screenings, researching better treatments and much more. For the Bayou Region, Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center is partnering with various schools, businesses, individuals and organizations to lead the charge against this life-threatening, prevalent disease with its annual Geaux Pink month of events.
“It’s one of Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center’s signature fundraising programs,” said Tiffany Tuberville Adams, the Development Coordinator for the Cancer Center. “Geaux Pink just gets our community, businesses, sports teams, schools and individuals involved in becoming aware and raising funds…We have a variety of fundraisers all-month long so that everyone can give back and make an impact to the Cancer Center.”
Funds raised by Geaux Pink, which happens every year throughout October, go to the Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center to help continue its outreach in the community such as providing free cancer screenings. Last year, the Cancer Center screened over 760 people over the course of its 40 free cancer screening events.
“Eighty-four [of the 760 screened] were navigated due to abnormal findings, and seven were diagnosed with cancer. Early detection is crucial to treatment,” Adams said. “Also, the money raised through Geaux Pink is used for support services such as transportation, nutrition, pastoral care and social services for patients and their families.”
The Cancer Center also looks towards the future in applying the funds to medical advancement through technology, research and clinical trials. The money from Geaux Pink also goes to patient navigation—a program that guides patients from the time they were screened, through their diagnosis, and into their survivorship or comfort care.
“I would just ask that people get involved and support our businesses, schools or individuals that are going to be participating in Geaux Pink. I’m very passionate about the Cancer Center; my mother is a breast cancer survivor,” Adams shared. “I fully believe that we have the best comprehensive cancer facility in our area, and we’re just encouraging everyone to get involved.”
To get involved and help Mary Bird Perkins TGMC Cancer Center with their fight against breast cancer, attend one of the fundraising events listed below or learn how to create your own event at https://marybird.org/geauxpink.
