Annual Breast Cancer Walk Raises Awareness For Early Detection & Support Services
Celebrate survivors, honor loved ones who have lost their breast cancer battle, support those who are currently undergoing cancer care and join in helping bring attention to the importance of increasing awareness of breast cancer screenings and treatment by participating in the 2023 Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 4 PM at Spencer Hospital.
“One in every eight women in the United States is at risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer and it’s important to remember men can be diagnosed with breast cancer too, 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,” said K.C. Kidd, Spencer Hospital’s Women’s Health Coordinator.
Registration starts at 3:30 PM, followed by a short program at 4 PM, prior to walking down Spencer’s main street of Grand Avenue. As participants gather prior to the program, several activities are planned, including a selfie station, kids’ activities, survivors’ check-in station and informational table and, perhaps best of all, an opportunity to see familiar faces and meet new people, all gathering to raise awareness.
“This year marks our 19th annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, which our planning team affectionately calls our Pink Walk, because we encourage our participants to wear pink, the designated breast cancer support color,” commented Susan Zulk, VP of Marketing & Fund Development at Spencer Hospital. “While many organizations host fund-raisers for breast cancer initiatives this time of year, this event is purely an awareness campaign and is absolutely free. Some participants like to make a donation to our foundation to support women’s health or the Abben Cancer Center while attending this event; however, that is strictly voluntary. ”
Participants are encouraged to wear pink. “To help facilitate the wearing of pink, we have free t-shirts available for our participants,” Zulk said. “We are using the classic design this year, which we’ve used the past few walks rather than an annual themed shirt. Feel free to wear a shirt you already have, or if you’d like a fresh one, we’ll have the classic design available. They are free for participants and if we have any extra after the walk, they’re available for $10 each.”
Kidd added that breast health starts with annual health check-ups with your family medicine practitioner and routine mammograms using Spencer Hospital’s 3D technology performed by experienced, certified mammographers. If a concern is detected, patients work closely with our 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 for our patients,” Kidd said. “Spencer Hospital is recognized by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Health Center of Excellence. This is due to the comprehensive and exceptional care, provided right here in northwest Iowa.”