Shawnee Mission Health Flips on Pink Lights for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Fourth Annual Light the Town Pink Event

Shawnee Mission Health (SMH), in partnership with The Village Shops in Prairie Village, Kan., will Light the Town Pink in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, casting a pink light on the importance of breast cancer awareness and early detection.

The public is invited to attend the official pink lighting ceremony at The Village Shops at 71st Street and Mission Road in Prairie Village on Thursday, Sept. 28. A short program begins at 7:15 pm near the Clock Tower between Story Restaurant and C. Frogs. Breast cancer survivors, who were treated at Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC), will have the honor of flipping the switch, illuminating The Village Shops in pink lights. The event will feature family entertainment, including face painting, balloons and door prizes.

"This event encourages our community's support of building and maintaining awareness about the necessary steps in early and proactive disease detection," said SMH Executive Director of Oncology Services Becca Bell McMahon, who is also a breast cancer survivor. "Our goal is to emphasize the importance of regular mammograms and self-breast exams. When we commit to supporting early detection, and when the disease is caught early, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent."

To learn more about the lighting event, visit ShawneeMission.org/pink, PrairieVillageShops.com or Facebook.com/thevillageshops.

Early Detection Services Available at the Breast Center

SMH is home to Kansas City's first accredited Breast Center, dedicated to the full spectrum of breast care from screening through diagnosis and survivorship. The Breast Center, which offers 3D mammography, serves in partnership with the Shawnee Mission Cancer Center to provide complete oncology services, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, infusion therapies and other on-site integrative treatments and cancer support services. In addition, the Center also offers a PET/CT scanner that provides advanced imaging and treatment planning. Patients receive the full continuum of care from diagnosis, through inpatient and outpatient services and even prosthetics and wigs, support groups, classes and spiritual renewal all on one campus.

To schedule a mammogram at SMMC, SMH Overland Park or SMH Prairie Star, visit ShawneeMission.org/mammo or call Call913-676-2505. Walk-ins and evening appointments are available. A doctors order is not required for screening mammograms.