<!--Michele Deluca--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Michele Deluca</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:michele.deluca@niagara-gazette.com">michele.deluca@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
A “Pink Affair,” and free luncheon to promote breast cancer awareness is being hosted on Saturday by Niagara Falls gospel recording artist Marsha McWilson.
“I’m encouraging all the ladies to dress in pink, although it’s optional,” said McWilson, who is acting as the community liaison for a Buffalo organization that is presenting the event.
McWilson, who lost her mother-in-law to breast cancer, is hoping the event will be an informative, upbeat, inspirational gathering. Beyond conversation about wellness and breast cancer prevention, there will be giveaways and raffles and two grand prizes including a “queen for a day” makeover in McWilson’s Niagara Falls beauty salon with a photo shoot after the makeover.
Dr. Jennifer Hydeman, a psychologist from Roswell Park Medical Center, will discuss ways to deal with the stresses of breast cancer, and there will also be breast cancer survivors sharing their stories.
In addition, there will be information on how to obtain mammograms and details on a free $20 gift cards from Tops and Walmart available to those who receive a mammogram.
“We as women need to learn to take care of ourselves first,” said McWilson, who wrote a song about that subject called “Balance,” which she recently sang at a “Go Red for Women,” luncheon in Buffalo, sponsored by the American Heart Association. “I am hoping this luncheon may inspire people, and possibly save lives,” she said.
The three-hour event is being sponsored by LEWAC, which is a non-profit health and education outreach association. The event is being funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health Cancer Services Program and prizes and refreshments are also being donated by area sponsors.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “A Pink Affair for Breast Cancer Awareness”
WHERE: St. John AME Church, 917 Garden Ave.
WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday
MORE INFO: Contact Marsha McWison at 579-0912 or visit lewac.com
