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NMC to host events for Breast Cancer Awareness
'Hope' festivities will mark 11th anniversary, feature Mack McKibben & The Drive Time Band
0920HOPE

Anchored in Hope is the theme for this year’s Hope events for breast cancer awareness sponsored by Newton Medical Center’s Women’s Diagnostic Center and Auxiliary. The events are hosted around the month of October, which is nationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Hope festivities which all started with a luncheon and fashion show hosted by a group of Red Hatters and has grown over the years to include portraits of survivors displayed in the windows of downtown merchants and a free concert on the Covington Square.

The kickoff to the Hope festivities is the Portraits of Hope event which will showcase 93 women who are survivors of breast cancer. Each survivor’s professional photo and personal story will be on display in a window of a downtown merchant’s storefront around the Covington square. The portraits and stories will be on display from Sept. 27 through Oct. 31 for community members to come and read about the journeys of the survivors while they walk the square and browse the stores.

The Portraits of Hope will be on display just in time for the Hope Concert on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 4-6 p.m. Featuring Mack McKibben & The Drive Time Band, this free concert on the Covington Square will also showcase local talent. Bring your lawn chairs, picnics, family and friends, and come out to the Covington Square for this free event.

Wrapping up the first week of Hope festivities is the tradition that started it all, the 11th Annual Hope Luncheon & Fashion Show. This year’s luncheon will be held on Friday, Oct. 2 at 11:30 a.m. at the Church at Covington, a new location to hold all of the survivors. Lisa Baker - breast cancer survivor, mom of three and program director for the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce - will share her breast cancer journey as the guest speaker at the luncheon. Tickets are $10 each and tables of six can be reserved for $60. The event sells out every year and features an agenda filled with fun, encouragement and education to create awareness of Breast Cancer diagnosis, treatment and support. Event tickets are available at the Women’s Diagnostic Center and Volunteer Services office. Every year the door prizes are a big hit at the luncheon. Door prize tickets will be on sale at the door of the luncheon for $1 and $5 each.

“As we celebrate our survivors, we hope to spread breast cancer awareness in our community. Early detection helps save lives. Please schedule your mammogram today,” says Nurse Navigator Wendy Hankins, RN, CN-BN.

Screening mammograms scheduled during October at the Women’s Diagnostic Center are available for $75 for the uninsured. If you have questions or are ready to schedule your screening mammogram, call 770-385-7800.

The Hope events are sponsored by Police Who Care, Abbey Hospice, Atlanta Cancer Care Foundation, City of Covington, Covington Fire Department, Kimberly Chance Atkins Foundation, Longleaf Hospice, Mammotome®, New Century Hospice, Newton Federal Bank, Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia and Spectacular Eyecare. All proceeds from the Hope events benefit the Hope Boutique and the Nurse Navigation Program at Newton Medical Center which provide resources and support to women going through breast cancer. Through these programs, a cancer support group is available for all cancer patients and survivors the last Monday of each month at 12:30 p.m. in the Women’s Diagnostic Center.

For more information on any of the Hope events, Cancer Support Group or to schedule a screening mammogram, please call 770-385-7800. The Women’s Diagnostic Center is located in the Physicians’ Pavilion at 4181 Hospital Drive, Suite 301 in Covington, Georgia.