Portia Williams

PDT Staff Writer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Southern Ohio Medical Center has launched the 2012 “Paint it Pink” campaign with a host of community events to take place during the course of the month.

Wendi Waugh, Administrative Director of Cancer Services/Community Health and Wellness at Southern Ohio Medical Center said that she is very appreciative of SOMC’s partners, as well as other supporters in the community.

“We are just delighted to team up with Shawnee State University, and Glockner. We have received an incredible amount of support from the community, and we appreciate it immensely,” Waugh said.

SOMC will offer Free Breast Cancer Screening at the Cancer Center from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Those who wish to undergo screening must register by calling the Cancer Center.

Oct. 12-13, 7:30 p.m. nightly, will be the playing of “The World Goes Round,” which is a musical celebration. This production is a collaborative effort between SOMC and The Portsmouth Little Theatre.

Shawnee State University will partner with SOMC on Oct. 17, for the Soccer Game Pink Out at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The first 25 people will receive a free “Paint it Pink” T-shirt.

The involved organizations are requesting that community members purchase a “Paint it Pink” t-shirt and to wear the shirts on Oct. 19, the day that SOMC has designated as the official, “Paint it Pink Day.”

“Paint it Pink” will be an all-day event in which men, women, teens, and tots will wear their pink shirts to show their support for those who suffer with breast cancer and hope for a cure to the disease.

The “Paint it Pink” t-shirts come in pink and black, and may be purchased for $10 from the SOMC Cancer Center, and Life Center. All proceeds from the t-shirt sales will be allotted to the SOMC Cancer Compassion fund, which provides cancer patients with needs such as transportation, medication and so forth.

Saturday, Oct. 20 will be an eventful day, beginning at 8 a.m. with the “Paint It Pink” 5K Run/Walk, which will begin at the SOMC Life Center in Portsmouth.

Oct. 20, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. will be the Pink Zumbathon in Tracy Park. Tickets for this event are $8 if purchased in advance, and $10 the day of the event.

There will be a closing ceremony at 3:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, with the Ceremonial Pink Parade, which will also take place in Tracy Park. Participants are encouraged to wear pink for this event as well.

“We are very excited about our upcoming events. We want to heighten awareness about the realities of breast cancer, and generate as much support as possible. This why we have worked so hard with institutions like Shawnee State, and entities such as Glockner Superstore. We believe that our efforts will make a difference,” Waugh said.

Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234 or portiawilliams@heartlandpublications.com