Tickled pink for cancer prevention; luncheon planned

Carman Williams

cwilliams@weatherforddemocrat.com

Before 2008 comes to an end, more than 182,000 women will face a breast cancer diagnosis, and more than 40,000 will die from the disease. For Parker County women facing breast cancer, help is offered through the Parker County Health Foundation (PCHF) and its third annual Pink Luncheon.

The luncheon raises funds from local businesses and private sponsors and uses the money to provide mammograms and bone density tests for Parker County women. The PCHF works with local doctors to make those tests available for uninsured or underprivileged women.

Last year, money from the Pink Luncheon provided 143 free mammograms and three biopsies for local women. Because early detection gives a greater survival rate, the PCHF aims to make screenings available for women who would not be tested otherwise.

Zan Prince, chairman for the PCHF, said community response to past luncheons has been overwhelming. During its first year, the luncheon raised about $17,000, and during its second year, the total was close to $26,000.

Prince was reluctant to estimate this year’s total.

“There’s no reason to limit the creativity and generosity of Parker County residents,” she said. “[Locals] are excited to come together as a community to support women who need help.”

The event, co-sponsored by First National Bank of Weatherford, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 10, in the Family Life Center of Weatherford’s Victory Baptist Church. Individual seats are reserved with a $100 sponsorship, and corporate sponsorships, which start at $800, ensure seating for eight. Space is available for 400, and First National Bank Vice-President Evon Markum noted seats have sold out every year.

In addition to lunch, gift bags given at the door and raffle prizes, guests will hear a presentation by writer and speaker Linda Armstrong Kelly. Armstrong Kelly is the mother of Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, and the author of “No Mountain High Enough — Raising Lance, Raising Me.” In her book, Armstrong Kelly chronicles her personal struggles as well as her son’s battle with testicular cancer and brain tumors.

According to the biography on her Web site, “Linda’s story motivates people to achieve their own goals, regardless of the obstacles they face.”

Prince and Markum hope Armstrong Kelly’s story will encourage Weatherford residents to join the battle against cancer in Parker County.

“Lots of folks out there have been touched [by cancer] — their wife, their mother, their daughters — and they’re looking for a way to give back,” Prince said.

“When you impact the life of a woman in Parker County, you’re impacting the families,” Markum added.

The Pink Luncheon is one of the only events dedicated to treating breast cancer in Parker County, and all the money raised will go to local women. Sponsorship and ticket information is available at www.pinkluncheon.com or by contacting Evon Markum at (817) 598-4905.

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