By Susie Hovater Malone

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the GFWC Book Lovers Study Club promotes screening and prevention every year.

The event began in 1985 as a week-long awareness campaign by the American Cancer Society. Known best for its pink theme color, the month features a number of campaigns and programs. Members of Book Lovers wore pink to the club meeting to advocate for breast cancer awareness.

The guest speaker was Whitney Cook McCartt from the Helen Keller Hospital Breast Cancer Center. McCartt shared a video presentation about breast cancer risk factors. “One in eight women in the United States is affected every year, and 2.3 million women worldwide,” McCartt said.

Some common breast cancer risk factors include getting older, experiencing menopause at older age, having family members with breast cancer and having a prior breast biopsy. Some women with one or more risk factors should talk to their doctor about starting breast cancer screening as early as age 25 or 30. Women age 40 and up are recommended to have a screening mammogram every year. Members received brochures about breast self-exams, breast density, nutrition to help prevent breast cancer, screening mammography and 3-D mammography.

The GFWC Book Lovers Study Club Walk to Wellness fundraiser made it possible for the club to donate $500 to Russellville Hospital and another $500 to Dr. Maynard.  The hospital will use their money for those who can’t pay $40 for mammograms. Maynard distributes the money to his patients as needed for things such as gas money to travel for treatments, co-pays and other needs.

Funds raised from the Walk to Wellness project also allowed the club to donate $300 each to Larsen Plylar and Breanna Bendall Turney to assist with their traveling to MD Anderson.

Members made donations to the following club projects: Trick or Treat for UNICEF (which works in more than 190 countries and territories to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents and to protect the rights of every child.);  Shot@Life (VaccinesForAll – a United Nations Foundation campaign working to ensure everyone in the world has access to lifesaving vaccines and all children.); and Canine Companions for Independence (places service dogs with children, adults and veterans with disabilities).

The October meeting took place at North Highlands Church of Christ. Co-hostesses Martha Sibley and Debra Spillers served delicious refreshments. Beautiful fall decorations set the atmosphere, and each member received a unique crafted miniature pumpkin.

Announcements were made regarding various art events including “A Doublewide, Texas Christmas” presented by the Bay Tree Council in Red Bay at the Weatherford Center Nov. 9-12; Russellville First Baptist Church Walk Thru Bethlehem Dec. 1-3; and “The Roxy’s Christmas Spectacular” will be presented Dec. 6-10 at the Historic Roxy Theatre.

The meeting closed with the reading of the club’s Collect.