AdventHealth Team Members Shine Light on Breast Cancer Awareness

AdventHealth team members pumped up the pink in October to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some of the highlights from AdventHealth campuses around the country:

AdventHealth Manchester in Kentucky hosted a Ladies Night Out Paint and Pamper Party. Participants were instructed to paint a breast cancer awareness piece to honor someone affected by cancer. Participants also learned about age-appropriate screenings, heard testimony from breast cancer survivors, and received information about AdventHealth’s comprehensive imaging services.

AdventHealth University Denver students and faculty participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Downtown Denver. AHU Denver’s Student Nurse Association sponsored participation in the event.

AdventHealth Central Texas hosted its SHINE the Light Breast Cancer Awareness Glow Walk. Dozens of people participated in the walk and team members were able to purchase T-shirts. All proceeds go back into the community to give free or reduced cost mammograms to anyone in need.

AdventHealth breast cancer patient Kelly Broadbelt, who was recently honored by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the NFL’s annual Crucial Catch, an initiative to raise awareness for breast cancer, shares the story of her journey.

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission enlisted some of its social media influencers to share with their audiences the Pink Porch KC initiative.

AdventHealth campuses in Georgia – Gordon, Murray and Redmond – encouraged residents in their surrounding communities to light their porches pink, distributing 20,000 pink light bulbs to help with that effort.

Local newspapers joined in the celebration as well, printing pages pink.

In addition, two breast cancer survivors, including Charlotte Keener, who is pictured above ringing the bell, shared their stories, along with many others whose accounts you will find on Facebook at AdventHealth Gordon.

Aside from breast cancer awareness bracelets, banners and balloon arches, Texas Health Huguley, a joint venture with AdventHealth, cast a special glow for all to see as the hospital went pink every night to show support for those in the community.

October was a wrap for AdventHealth's West Florida Division and AdventHealth Hendersonville in North Carolina. In Haines City, Florida, AdventHealth sponsored the police department's Breast Cancer Awareness patrol car. AdventHealth Hendersonville hosted the unveiling of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office custom cruiser at its Hematology Oncology Infusion Services office in Weaverville.

The Central Florida community rallied for the AdventHealth Pink on Parade 5K to support breast cancer warriors and survivors as well as honor those who have been lost but continue to shine on through their loved ones.

At Texas Health Mansfield, a joint venture with AdventHealth, team members approached the month with an attitude of “Their fight is OUR fight.” To kick off the month, team members raised over $1,000 for their local Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk, enjoyed pink doughnuts handed out by the executive team, and went all out for Pink Out Day on Oct. 21, National Mammogram Day.

As the month came to a close, team members had an opportunity to talk to Cindy Taylor, a breast cancer survivor who underwent four surgeries at the hospital and was celebrating two years as a survivor. Taylor shared these words: "If I could give anybody advice on going through breast cancer or any affliction, it would be to let go of our need to control and fix your eyes on Jesus. Our circumstance is an opportunity to advance the good news and serve others. Through this, I have found joy. No matter how bad things look, He will work all things for good. So let go and let God!"