Being Candid about Breast Cancer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 10, 2017 – Spectrum Health will once again bring the community together to focus on a life-threatening disease that continues to impact thousands of families in West Michigan.

Candid Conversations, a free community event celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 18. The event will be held in the East Kentwood High School Auditorium, 6230 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, Grand Rapids. Light refreshments will be served.

Speakers this year include Emmy Rickert, a survivor, who will share her story of being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 24 and her subsequent care journey. Susan Ford Bales will speak about the importance of awareness and screening in honor of her mother, the late First Lady Betty Ford, who was the first public figure to openly discuss her personal experience with breast cancer.

Community health experts will also share information on breast cancer genetics, risks and survivorship:

Judith Hiemenga, MD, Spectrum Health Medical Group – Genetics
Diana Bitner, MD, Spectrum Health Medical Group – Fertility and cancer menopause
Paul Wright, MD, Spectrum Health Medical Group – Risks and prevention/survivorship
Shannon Wilson – Director, Grand Rapids African American Health Institute – Health disparities and inequalities

This is the fifth Candid Conversations sponsored by the Spectrum Health Cancer Center and Spectrum Health’s Betty Ford Breast Care Services. Registration is available at www.spectrumhealth.org/betty-ford-event.

“We know that one in eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Our hope is that those who attend Candid Conversations leave feeling empowered to take charge of their breast health,” said Judy L. Smith, MD, chief of the Spectrum Health Cancer Center. “We want to raise awareness by talking candidly about breast health. Hopefully, we motivate people to explore and understand what options are available to them so that they take action.”

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People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Contact:
Sarina Gleason
Media Relations
Phone: 517.256.5618
Email: sarina.gleason@corewellhealth.org