As a way to raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center (KMC) is holding their annual Ooh Bra La La! ladies’ night out event on Thursday, October 9 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden (PJCBG).
Sharon Nelson, Novant Health Community Engagement Specialist, noted that while the event is geared toward women, it is open to anyone.
“As you arrive at the event, the Pink Heals fire truck will be on site for cancer survivors to sign,” said Nelson.
Joanne Allen, president of Novant Health KMC, said she was amazed at the artistic ability of the businesses, organizations and individuals who created bras for the event last year.
“We probably had about 30 bras last year,” she said. “There were the really pretty ones and the fun ones. It’s interesting that there are so many different materials used in making these bras,” she said. “Those that competed last year want to compete again this year and we have new people as well.”
Nelson revealed that one of the new entries this year is from Queen Latifah.
Along with the fashionable bra entries that will be on display around PJCBG for attendees to enjoy, there are a lot of other activities going on throughout the night.
From 5:30 to 7 p.m., there will be raffle tickets, door prizes and a silent auction to benefit cancer prevention and education. Attendees can take advantage of a professional bra fitting, mini-makeovers, chair massages, and schedule a mammogram. There will also be vendors, bone density screenings and more.
“We will have a silent auction with pink themed items,” noted Nelson. “There will also be a photo booth and, if the weather is great, we will be able to use the patio.”
Allen said the silent auction is a small fundraiser to raise money for KMC’s cancer fund.
The event will feature performances by local high schools and maurices in Kernersville is putting on a fashion show, featuring breast cancer patients and survivors.
Rachel Wiley, manager at maurices, said this will be the second year they have held their fashion show with the Pink Heals Foundation.
Cancer survivor Cindy Swaim, who will be among the women in the fashion show, said she is looking forward to being a part of the event and helping to raise awareness.
Swaim was first diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2013 after she found a lump in her breast, something the mammogram wasn’t able to pick up.
“I had never missed a mammogram since I turned 40,” she said, noting that she was 49-years-old at the time. “Even though I could feel it and the doctors could feel it, it didn’t show up on the mammogram. It did show up on the sonogram, however, which was scary.
Now, Swaim advises other women to make sure and check for lumps on their own.
“Know your body and trust your instincts if you feel something is wrong. I would much rather walk out of the doctor’s office with him telling me I am fine than to wonder,” she said.
When Swaim first found out she had cancer, she said she was overwhelmed.
“I was overwhelmed at first, but I can say the breast navigators with Novant were wonderful. You can call them 24/7 and ask them questions. They are like having your own girlfriend that has been through this before,” she said.
Rather than going through chemotherapy, Swaim opted to have a double mastectomy, which was performed on December 18 and she has since recovered quickly.
“I have been a lucky one,” she said. “I did not have to have any chemotherapy. I had reconstruction surgery, a process that took a couple of months and had implants put in on February 28. I was on the fast track and have had a positive take on this.”
Although Swaim has been positive throughout recovering from breast cancer, she mentioned that the initial diagnosis was a hard hit.
“Immediately when someone tells you that you have cancer, you imagine yourself being sick, losing your hair, imagining the worst of chemo and possibly death, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” she encouraged.
Now that Swaim is healing, she is feeling great and is excited about being a part of the Ooh Bra La La! event and sharing with other women that they don’t have to be afraid.
“If you do find something, don’t be afraid. Fix it and move on. The technology and medical staff are so impressive – the way they diagnose you and tell you what stage you are in, and the plastic surgery they do now is remarkable, though it’s not for everyone,” she said. “I had the option to have a lumpectomy, but decided to be bolder and go for the double mastectomy.”
Swaim said even if someone hasn’t gone through cancer, being a part of the Ooh Bra La La! event is a way to honor others.
“This is a great way to honor someone, and it is part of the healing process for me to be a part of this. It is also a great way for young girls to realize the statistics and know it isn’t a death sentence,” she said, adding that her daughter, Caroline, has been a big supporter and is also taking part in the event.
“I have also seen a good side of my husband, Andy, that I had never seen until going through this process,” she added.
A panel of physician experts will be available to answer questions by attendees about women’s health during an “Ask the Doctor” session from 7 to 8 p.m.
“We will have a wide range of physicians from family care to OBGYN, oncologists and plastic surgeons. The audience can ask anything they want about their health or something they are going through,” said Nelson.
During the event there will be food from Kernersville area restaurants, and wine from Grassy Creek Vineyards.
Allen is looking forward to having the event at PJCBG this year.
“Each year it grows a little bit, and we wanted to find a new venue so we could accommodate more women, especially since the hospital is getting busier,” she said. “I am hoping the people that came before will come again, but I am also hoping some new people will come this time.”
PJCBG is located at 215 South Main St. The event is free; however, seating is limited for the “Ask the Doctor” session. Call 336-564-4444 to RSVP to take part in this session.
