Get your pink on: October is Breast Cancer awareness month [Silver City Sun-News, N.M.]

Oct. 15--SILVER CITY -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and everyone from the students at Jose Barrios Elementary, the Zumba group, and Gila Regional Medical Center are reminding women to get screened. Even the Silver City Firefighters are getting their pink on to help fight breast cancer.

"Throughout the month of October, Silver City Fire Department personnel will wear pink T-shirts, to help raise awareness for this important campaign," said Silver City Fire Chief Rudy Bencomo.

The American Cancer Society is focused on the importance of annual screening, especially for women who are 40 and older.

"Annual screening save lives, so if firefighters can help remind women to take the time

to get screenings by our members wearing pink, we've done our job," Chief Bencomo said.

During October, any woman who schedules a mammogram at Gila Regional Medical Center will have her name placed in a drawing for two gift baskets.

The best way to find breast cancer early is with a mammogram. If you are a woman age 50 years or older, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, be sure to have a screening mammogram every two years. When found early breast cancer is 98 percent curable.

For under-insured women or women without insurance, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program is a cooperative effort that can pay for screenings. Call 1-877-852-2585 for program information.

A free self-exam shower card is available from Gila Regional. Email your name and mailing address to [email protected] or call 575-538-4067.

Gila Regional'sImaging Department offers digital mammograms. If the radiologist detects something suspicious, additional images can be done right then and there. Imaging at Gila Regional is accredited by the American College of Radiology, which means they meet the highest level of patient

safety standards and image quality.

Ask your doctor what is right for you, and then call 575-538-4051 to schedule a mammogram. The winners of the gift basket drawing will be announced Friday, November 1.

Rope 4 Hope

We save for vacations, but for future cancer treatments? Gila Regional's Medical Surgical Director Denice Baird, R.N. noticed that treatment patients from outlying areas often cancel their chemotherapy appointments because they cannot afford to travel to Gila Regional Cancer Center.

Denice and her husband, Sherman, who own the Baird Arena in Cliff, New Mexico, did something about it. They created a non-profit event, Rope 4 Hope. Funds raised are used to ease the burden of Gila Regional Cancer Center patients who are experiencing financial hardship due to their cancer treatment and help provide mammograms to uninsured women in Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties.

"Our intent is that no patient should have to make a choice between necessary treatment and meeting their financial obligations, namely food, fuel, or utilities," said Denice.

Rope 4 Hope relies on the community, many sponsors and volunteers. Money is raised through T-shirt sales, raffle, dinner and silent auction.

Admission to the competitions is free to the public, and competitors' entry fees are paid through to the winning riders. It has grown to attract top barrel racers and roping teams from surrounding states.

Put on your pink and join the 4th annual Rope 4 Hope on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27, 2013. Check online at rope4hope.org.

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