Bon Secours sponsors ‘Pink Friday’

WARWICK — On Friday evening, Oct. 19, the Merchants Guild of the Village of Warwick, Bon Secours Charity Health System and the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation will join in the celebration of the first annual “Pink Friday.”

Pink Friday, which evolved from “Think Pink,” a local fund raiser for breast cancer research, is the brainchild of Warwick businessman Tim Mullally, who presented the idea to the Warwick Merchants Guild.

The event, a festive as well as educational evening, is sponsored by Bon Secours Charity Health System Community Outreach. The Bon Secours Charity Health System is comprised of St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Suffern and Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis.

“You can expect to see local hair salons providing makeovers and eyebrow threading, massages and henna tattoos,” Mullally said in the press release announcing the program. “Also on the Railroad Green there will be a lineup of dance performances and fitness demonstrations. And we’ll have music to dance the night away.”

Besides the many colorful shops and eateries participating and offering special discounts, gifts and other promotions, there will also be several dozen street vendors along Main Street and Railroad Avenue.

Outreach

The BSCHS Community Outreach program, stationed in a large tent on Railroad Green, will offer free educational information and gifts for all attendees.

Staff members from the Women’s Imaging Center at St. Anthony Community Hospital will be on hand to describe the many services they offer.

Several medical professionals including Breast Surgeon Dr. Karen Karsif and Cancer Genetic Counselor Vanessa Marcell will also be present to talk with women about whatever health concerns they may have and Patient Navigator Ana Gonzalez and Sandi Jeanette, BSCHS community education coordinator, will show the community how BSCHS helps to advance community wellness.

Donations

Participating shops and restaurants will donate a percentage of the day’s proceeds to Miles of Hope, a nonprofit charity that funds support services and outreach for people affected by breast cancer in the eight counties of the Hudson Valley. And Pari Forood, executive director of Miles of Hope, will be on hand with information on support services for people affected by breast cancer.

“We are honored to partner with the Warwick Merchant’s Guild on Pink Friday,” said Barbara Demundo, system director of Outreach for Bon Secours Charity Health System. “This inaugural event promises to be the beginning of something powerful – something that has the potential to save lives.”

Demundo added that the Center for Breast Health at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center is in the forefront of breast cancer care. And breast surgeon and Director of the Center for Breast Health, Dr. Karen Karsif will be at Pink Friday where she will answer any questions and concerns people may have.

“Many women are terribly afraid of breast cancer,” Karsif said, “but they need to know how treatable it can be, especially when detected early.”