AdventHealth in Kansas City Launches Pink Porchlight Campaign

Merriam, KS – Throughout the month of October, AdventHealth and Westlake Ace Hardware are teaming up to shine a light on breast cancer. The two organizations are encouraging households throughout the metropolitan Kansas City region to light their porches pink to increase awareness on breast cancer and the importance of early detection through mammograms.

AdventHealth will distribute 2,000 pink light bulbs to patients, employees and partners in the region along with a yard sign encouraging women to get screened for breast cancer. In addition, pink lightbulbs will also be available for purchase from Kansas City-area Westlake Ace Hardware stores for community members who want to join the effort to shine light and share hope.

“The pink porchlight project is our way of shining a light on the importance of early detection of breast cancer and we invite the community to join us in raising awareness,” said Simran Elder, MD, medical oncologist and hematologist at AdventHealth Cancer Center Shawnee Mission. “A mammogram has the power to save your life. We encourage patients to be diligent about these preventative screenings.”

The pink porchlight campaign runs throughout the month of October to spread awareness for the early detection of breast cancer. See below for facts about breast cancer and learn more about how mammograms can save lives at AdventHealthKC.com/mammogram.

Breast Cancer Facts

• While one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, it is an easily treatable cancer when detected early. A mammogram has the power to save your life.
• Yearly screening mammograms are still widely recommended, beginning at age 40. Each year, a comparison will be done to your prior mammogram to look for any abnormal changes within your breast tissue. Screening mammograms continue to be the number one tool in early detection.
• Knowing your family history is helpful in assessing genetic risk of breast cancer. A genetic risk assessment is done at every screening mammogram, and recommendations based on your overall risk will be made. This could range anywhere from a yearly screening mammogram to alternating screening breast MRI and mammograms every 6 months.
• Maintaining a healthy weight and staying physically active can play a large role in reducing your risk of developing cancer. Stay active – and schedule a yearly mammogram to screen for breast cancer.

About AdventHealth in Kansas City

With a sacred mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, AdventHealth is a connected system of care for every stage of life and health. A focus on whole-person health and commitment to caring for the body, mind and spirit unify the system's more than 50 hospital campuses and hundreds of care sites in diverse markets throughout almost a dozen states. AdventHealth in Kansas City includes AdventHealth Shawnee Mission in Merriam, AdventHealth South Overland Park, AdventHealth Lenexa, AdventHealth College Boulevard in Overland Park, three AdventHealth Centra Care locations and 23 AdventHealth Medical Group primary and specialty care clinics. AdventHealth Shawnee Mission is the only certified member of MD Anderson Cancer Network®, a program of MD Anderson Cancer Center, in Kansas City. Visit AdventHealthKC.com for more information.