News Releases

August 13, 2007
Breast Friends for Life Queenís Ball Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Research and Community Outreach

LaGrange, Ga – (Aug. 10, 2007) Ladies take out your tiaras and men put on your bling for the first Queen’s Ball fundraiser to benefit West Georgia Health System’s newly-formed breast cancer support group, Breast Friends for Life. The woman receiving the largest total donation by 9 P.M. will be crowned Queen of the Ball. A second Queen will be crowned for the woman wearing the most “bling.”

The Sweet Potato Queen themed-event to be hosted from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 at 203 Main Street in Hogansville, will help raise money for the Breast Friends for Life team that will be participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk in Atlanta this fall. Susan G. Komen is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. Net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in Atlanta will help fund breast cancer research and community outreach.

Each of the six team members representing Breast Friends for Life including: Brandi Cofield, Judy McCrary, Donna McDaniel, Sandy McDaniel, Kim Meyerson, and Tina Quiggle must raise $2,200 to participate in the walk. The event, sponsored by West Georgia Health System, Delta Blues Iced Tea Company, C. Riley’s Barbeque, and Hogansville DDA will help the team members reach their goal and raise breast cancer awareness. For a minimum $20 donation, guests can enjoy food, fun, dancing, prizes and musical entertainment by the Rubes.

Wanda Lowe, a patient coordinator at West Georgia Health System and five-year cancer survivor believes the event and the support group serve an important need in the community.

“These are real people from the community,” said Lowe. “Their journey is not only an inspiration to individuals battling breast cancer but is helping to change perceptions about the disease and redefine what it means to be a ‘survivor.’ We hope this event will encourage more women and men to become involved with us in the fight against breast cancer.”

Founded in February 2007, Breast Friends for Life is dedicated to providing information, education, awareness and support for breast cancer survivors and their families. The group has grown from 12 members at its inaugural meeting, to more than 20 members and has become an important, close-knit group for women fighting breast cancer.

“Breast Friends for Life gives survivors a much needed forum to express their fears, experiences, and share mutual concerns,” said Alison Townsend, cancer registrar with West Georgia Health System. “But it also helps link women to important resources on new therapies and treatment options and offers guidance in lifestyle management issues.”

Breast Friends for Life meets at 5 p.m. every third Tuesday in the Clark Auditorium at the Enoch Callaway Cancer Clinic of West Georgia Health System. For information on Queen’s Ball fundraiser, call Wanda Lowe at 706-845-3866.