The Winston County Journal

"We expect our largest crowd ever," said Peggy Crawford one of the organizers of the BATTLE Luncheon.

As BATTLE(Breast Cancer Awareness To Teach Ladies Early detection) enters its 10th year, Crawford and Glenda Gregory are pleased with the growth and results they feel BATTLE has played in fighting breast cancer and increasing the number of Mississippians who obtain mammograms.

"Our aim has been to raise awareness and the need for self-examination and early detection," said Crawford. "We have raised awareness."

The growth in attendees and the number of persons and businesses sponsoring the luncheon are signs of the raised awareness noted Crawford.

In addition to providing knowledge to support breast screenings, outreach, education and treatment, the luncheon will also provides H.O.P.E. bags - an acronym for hope, opportunity, promise and empowerment - for women attending the event to provide further information on screenings, self examine and how to battle breast cancer.

"We wanted every woman involved in this to know that there are people who care and aim to beat breast cancer," said Crawford.

Most of the items in the bags are provided by Winston Medical Center Mammography Department and put together by volunteers.

For U.S. women, breast cancer is the most common cancer. There are presently an estimated 178,480 new cases reported annually and 40,460 deaths are expected this year.

The luncheon also aims to focus on the fact women can battle and defeat breast cancer with the proper knowledge and early detection.

As part of the program to represent breast cancer is beatable, the luncheon also includes a fashion show consisting of women who have overcome breast cancer.

"With the fashion show we want women to know this is not a death sentence. Women can live a full life," said Crawford.

The luncheon is set for September 27 at noon at Lake Tiak O'Khata. Door prizes will also be given away at the event.

Anyone interested in attending or survivors interested in participating in the fashion show should contact Crawford at 773-3696 or Gregory at 773-5531 or the extension office at 773-3091. Those wishing to sponsor the event should also contact Crawford or Gregory or the extension office.

For information on American Cancer Society programs related to Breast Cancer, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.