Paint It Pink begins
The Western News
This year, Paint It Pink will be bigger than ever before.
Every week in October is jam-packed with activities to educate the public about breast health and breast cancer and to raise money for the Paint It Pink Free Mammography Program.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2012 approximately 226,870 women and 2,190 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and approximately 39,510 women and 410 men will die.
And that’s in the U.S. alone. Although these numbers are frightening, research shows that the mortality rate could decrease by 30 percent if all women age 50 and older who need a mammogram had one.
“Numbers like these are staggering, but they are also the catalyst behind programs like Paint It Pink (PIP),” commented KC Hoyer, Marketing Manager at St. John’s Lutheran Hospital. “We may not be able to convince every woman to get a mammogram, but we can make it possible for them if they are putting it off for financial reasons. We are excited about the extra level of community involvement this year. Several local organizations are really stepping up to the plate and holding events or doing special promotions throughout the month.”
Paint It Pink (PIP) is a free mammography program for women and men that is sponsored by St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, Glacier Bank, and Northwest Imaging. Additional event and fundraising sponsoring businesses this year include the Montana Athletic Club, Northwest Community Health Center, Hava Java, Copper Mountain Coffee, Flathead Valley Community College, Libby Creek Photography, 5-star Salon, Classy Escape, Fusions, Headlines, Nellie O’s, and Shear Design.
The PIP Program and fundraising effort began in 2007 while the hospital Foundation was raising dollars to purchase Digital Mammography equipment. The fundraising activities for the equipment were so successful that a committee was formed to switch the fundraising focus from equipment to community, and a free mammography program was born. Since that time, the PIP program has raised $20,650 and has expanded to help 120 area women receive mammograms.
The fundraising for Paint It Pink only happens during the month of October which is Breast Health Awareness Month. “Pink is the signature color for the fight against Breast Cancer,” added Hoyer. “Each October, healthcare providers and local businesses and organizations across the country celebrate Breast Health Awareness Month with numerous events and fundraisers in support of prevention, research, and education. Here in Lincoln County, we celebrate with fun-runs, desserts, seminars, workshops, parties, and special promotional offers, just to name a few. For a complete schedule of events, go to www.sjlh.com and click on the upcoming events button on the right side of the screen.”
Both Glacier Bank and St. John’s Lutheran Hospital appreciate the efforts made worldwide in the fight for breast health awareness, but see an even greater benefit in raising local funds to assist local needs. “Our PIP committee is excited about what the proceeds of this month long fundraiser can do for the uninsured women and men in Libby, Troy, and the Yaak,” commented John Johanson, VP and Local Glacier Bank Branch Manager. “We have a large population of hard working women and men in our communities who just cannot afford health insurance, and mammograms are one healthcare measure that usually gets put on the back burner.”
Here’s how the fundraiser works. All community members are invited to attend the myriad of events that are planned throughout the month. Donations for the PIP program will be accepted at all events. There are also special PIP promotions and sale items at local businesses. If you miss out on all the events and promotions, but would like to donate, individual donations can be made at Glacier Bank and at the front desk of St. John’s Lutheran Hospital. All who participate are encouraged to Paint our Towns Pink by wearing pink on Friday, October 26th and joining us for a community picture, which will take place at the St. John’s Lutheran Hospital front parking lot at 10am.
Paint It Pink Mammograms are available to all uninsured women who live in zip codes 59923 or 59935, and do not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, or any other discounted mammography programs. Please contact your healthcare provider or call KC Hoyer at 283-7140 for more information regarding the PIP Early Detection Mammography Program.
PIP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
ALL MONTH LONG: Coffee for the Cure, Paint It Pink Raffle, Paint It Pink Bracelets Sale, Libby Creek
Photography Paint It Pink Specials
CLINIC AFTER HOURS: Wed. Oct. 3 from 5:30 – 7:30pm – Northwest Community Health Center
PAINT IT PINK 5K/10K FUN RUN/WALK: Sat. Oct. 6 @ 9:00am - St. John’s Lutheran Hospital
YOGA FOR WOMEN: Tues. Oct. 9 @ 8:00am - Montana Athletic Club
ZUMBA® TONING FOR WOMEN: Wed. Oct. 10 @ 4:30pm – Montana Athletic Club
BLUE, GOLD, AND PINK VARSITY FOOTBALL GAME: Fri. Oct. 12 @ 6:00pm – Libby Logger Football Field
WORSHIP IN PINK WEEK: Oct. 8 – 14
BETTER BLADDER HEALTH PART I: THE BENEFIT OF BLADDER SLINGS: Tues. Oct. 16 @ 11:30am – Montana Athletic Club
BETTER BLADDER HEALTH PART II: BEYOND KEGALS: Thurs. Oct. 18 @ 11:30am – Montana Athletic Club
ZUMBA® PARTY FOR PIP FUNDRAISER: Fri. Oct. 19 @ 6:00pm – VFW
WOMEN AND HEART DISEASE: Tues. Oct. 23@ 11:30am – Montana Athletic Club
PIP COMMUNITY PICTURE: Fri. Oct. 26 @ 10:00am – St. John’s Lutheran Hospital
BREAST HEALTH AWARENESS DESSERT: Tues. Oct. 30 @ 6:00pm – Libby Christian Church