Bon Secours Rappahannock General Hospital (RGH) will celebrate the “Power of Pink” with a breast cancer awareness event from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, at Grace Episcopal Church, 303 South Main Street, Kilmarnock. The event will include education, social networking, vendor resources, heavy hors d’oeuvres and door prizes.
“This is the third year of the ‘Power of Pink’ event and we’re overjoyed with how well received it’s been,” said Fran Victor, RN, RGH radiology nurse navigator and event chairman. “The event aims to create a sense of togetherness for our attendees, while also providing education and increasing awareness about locally available resources.”
In early 2018, RGH obtained the area’s first 3-D mammography unit, in thanks to the generosity of Seconds Unlimited Thrift Shop and RGH Foundation donations. Later in 2018, oncologist Craig Swainey, M.D., joined the team, further strengthening RGH’s commitment to cancer care for the community.
“Having a dedicated on-site oncologist provides members of our community and their families with quality, compassionate care, close to home,” said Victor.
Dr. Swainey will be the featured speaker at the Power of Pink event. He will present “Breast Cancer 101,” reviewing basics such as breast cancer prevalence, risk factors, prevention and early detection.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women in the U.S.,” said Dr. Swainey. “It’s important to arm yourself with all the facts and information to better care for and protect yourself and your loved ones.”
Dr. Swainey is board certified in medical oncology and internal medicine. He graduated magna cum laude from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., and received a bachelor’s in chemistry. Dr. Swainey earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, N.C. He then completed a residency in internal medicine, as well as fellowships in both medical oncology and hospice and palliative medicine from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Medical College of Virginia.
Dr. Swainey specializes in the treatment of advanced cancers, genitourinary tumors and solid tumors, primarily breast, head and neck cancers. He also has expertise in pain and symptom management and has a special interest in cancer care in rural areas.
Prior to joining Bon Secours, Dr. Swainey worked as an oncologist in the Richmond area. Dr. Swainey sees patients at the RGH Outpatient Infusion Center, where he helps develop a coordinated treatment plan tailored to the needs of each patient.
There also will be resource vendors including RGH services such as the Outpatient Infusion Center, Jennifer Miller, RGH Registered Dietitian, RGH Imaging Services, Bon Secours Kilmarnock Surgical Associations. Other participating vendors will include the Northern Neck Family YMCA, The Bay Center for Spiritual Development and representatives from GE.
Special music will be provided compliments of partnering sponsor, Visiting Angels of Kilmarnock.
Each year, RGH hosts a drawing for a pink designer bag that is given away at the end of October. Participants become eligible to enter the raffle drawing by scheduling to have their mammogram performed at RGH during the month of October, or by attending the Power of Pink event.
“It’s a really special and fun evening; we remember, we celebrate, we honor members of our community who have been touched in some way by breast cancer. This event has created meaningful and memorable experiences for the participants and event staff alike, and we’re looking forward to another successful occasion,” said Victor.
To register for the event, call 435-8614.
