Community invited to join the flock during Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital is doing something “quacky” for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are filling the fountain in our Atrium with pink rubber ducks, each one honoring survivors, remembering loved ones and reminding us that early detection saves lives.
“We invite the community to join the flock this October in raising awareness of breast cancer and the need for preventive screenings,” said Charla H. Ducote, Vice President of Marketing, Public Relations and Business Development at Rapides Regional Medical Center. “Each October, breast cancer activities like this are gentle reminders to prioritize our health.”
Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital will host a duck launch on Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 10:00am – noon. Community members are invited to join our colleagues in writing personal messages of love, strength and encouragement on our pink ducks that will be placed in the fountain during the month of October.
The ducks also serve as a reminder that early detection saves lives. Here are facts about breast cancer:
- 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer
- Mammograms are the best tool for early detection
- There is a 99 percent survival rate when breast cancer is found early
Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital also invites the community to join our flock for Wear Pink Wednesdays.
- Oct. 8: Pink Ribbon Day
- Oct. 15: Let’s SOCK it to cancer by wearing pink socks
- Oct. 22: Pink accessories day
- Oct. 29: Pink out day!
Other ways Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital is showing support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is our colleagues in radiology (mammography) and at the Rapides Cancer Center will wear pink gloves for the month, we will accept donations to the American Cancer Society, and our Community Education Department will be providing education for the month.
Since 1989, breast cancer death rates in the U.S. have declined 44 percent, but the incidence of breast cancer in women has risen an average of 1 percent annually since 2012.
“Being proactive when it comes to cancer is the best way to beat cancer,” said Theresa Hood, MSN, RN-BC, Director of Community Education at Rapides Regional Medical Center. “The earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chance of survival. We encourage all women to know their family history of breast cancer, and to have conversations with their doctors about regular cancer screenings. If you don’t have a physician, you may call (877) 801-8441 to find one.”