As the cool weather approaches and fall colors appear, many women will be donning pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. One local organization, Kimberley Chance Atkins Foundation, will be celebrating with these women. The mission of this foundation is saving lives by providing education, compassionate support, and prevention programs promoting breast health awareness.  

The Foundation will once again be partnering with Rockdale Medical Center and Newton Medical Center by sponsoring a Wall of Hope celebration in each community during the month of October. The Wall of Hope recognizes 12 breast cancer survivors in Rockdale County and 12 breast cancer survivors in Newton County each year. Photographs of the breast cancer survivors, made by local photographer Gary Ezell, will be unveiled in the Women’s Center of each medical facility. The portraits of these survivors offer hope and inspiration to women facing uncertain and daunting diagnoses.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate this milestone with the women featured on our Wall of Hope. The Newton Medical Center event will occur at the Women’s Center on October 6, 2015 at 6 p.m. and the Rockdale Medical Center event will occur at the Women’s Diagnostic Center on October 8, 2015 at 6 p.m.

The women selected for the Wall of Hope had to meet certain requirements that included being examples of strength and hope for others as they battled breast cancer to become survivors. When women and men are diagnosed with breast cancer, they experience a life-changing event that puts an enormous strain on them and requires them to make tough decisions about surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Based on information provided by the American Cancer Society, the chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is about 1 in 8 and the chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 37. With an estimated 90% of breast cancer detected through mammograms, early detection can increase survival rates.

The foundation invites cancer patients and survivors to visit Kim’s Closet at Rockdale Medical Center. The boutique is a place where you can find compassion and comfort. Hosted by breast cancer survivors, the boutique provides a beautiful area for women to select wigs, hats, scarves, and journals for free. All items are provided for anyone who may lose their hair from cancer treatments. The boutique is located in the East Tower of the medical center. Hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Kimberly Chance Atkins Foundation was founded by Ben Atkins to preserve the memory of his wife after she died of breast cancer at the young age of 32. The Foundation provides an opportunity for women in our community to receive mammograms. The Foundation also provides educational moments for civic, church, or neighborhood groups where women will learn how to do Breast Self Exams. This is a great program for all women’s groups.

Go to Kimatkins.net and learn more about this wonderful group, their outstanding partnerships, and their commitment to the women in our community.