Special Event – Time to Think Pink!

In today’s world, when you hear the term “Think Pink,” you are likely to know it’s not a promotion for a current popular movie but rather the well-known national call to action for breast cancer awareness and support.

And to celebrate October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Washington Hospital will host its annual Think Pink breast cancer awareness event from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in a tent atrium in the Washington West parking lot at 2500 Mowry Ave. in Fremont.

The free, in-person event will feature a variety of interactive information booths, activities and presentations. Think Pink focuses on the wide range of community nonprofit, medical, and emotional support available to those currently diagnosed with breast cancer as well as others who seek more information about breast cancer.

The purpose of the annual event is to raise awareness about the extensive support and treatment community available to breast cancer patients in the Tri-City Area, notes Christine Mikkelsen, RN, nurse navigator and clinical coordinator of the Washington Women’s Center.

Medical and community support services at all levels of need are available right here in Fremont through the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center, Mikkelsen adds. “There’s no need for our community members to leave the area for breast cancer treatment. We offer our patients a full-service program right here.”

Think Pink event activities, focused in the first hour of the event, will include craft booths to make breast cancer awareness buttons, henna tattoo artists, a photo booth, a booth by HERS (the community-based breast cancer support organization) and a drawing for gift baskets and a quilt from the Hospital’s Service League, according to Kayla Gupta, the Hospital’s Community Outreach manager. A free, vegetarian boxed dinner also will be provided.

During the 6 to 7 p.m. hour, a variety of experts will discuss the latest cancer treatment options available at Washington Hospital and explain how complementary therapies can help improve physical and emotional well-being during and following cancer treatment. Speakers will include Dr. William Dugoni, general surgeon and medical director of the Washington Women’s Center; and Dr. Krishna Suri, osteopathic and palliative care physician.

A panel discussion, “Navigating Cancer Together,” will feature key staff members from the UCSF - Washington Cancer Center including Mikkelsen; Becky Hudson, assistant director of oncology; Monette Domingo, RN, oncology nurse navigator; Patricia Limpo, RN, and Jackie Bala, RN, oncology practice nurses; and Shari Kellen, RN, nurse manager at the Hospital’s infusion center.

“Our Think Pink event energizes those who attend,” Gupta notes. “It’s fun and, importantly, it raises individual and community awareness. It’s an empowering program where individuals with various stages of breast cancer, their families and friends, and others in the community learn about the level of medical and nonprofit program support available to all who need it.”

Mikkelsen adds: “With events like Think Pink and our ongoing education and support programs, we aim to empower every affected individual, instilling hope, raising awareness and letting those diagnosed with cancer know they are not alone in their work to conquer breast cancer.”

In its 15th year, Think Pink has always been a very popular event with up to 250 persons participating in recent years. While the event is free, advance registration is requested. Individuals can register at whhs.com/events or call 800.963.7070.