Spectrum Health Holds ‘Candid Conversations with Amy Grant’

Grant, Susan Ford Bales Headline Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Event

The talented Amy Grant will sing and share her thoughts about breast cancer at this year’s “Candid Conversations” – a free community event celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, sponsored annually by the Spectrum Health Cancer Center and Spectrum Health’s Betty Ford Breast Care Services.

The event will be held from 5:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, at the Jenison Center for the Arts, 8375 20th Avenue, in Jenison. Grant will be joined by Susan Ford Bales. Spectrum Health’s breast cancer program honors Ford Bales’ mother, the late First Lady Betty Ford, who was the first public figure to openly discuss her personal experience with breast cancer.

Along with Grant, Mid-Life Crisis and the Jenison Public Schools Music Department will perform. The free event is “sold out” this year, say organizers. The 1212 participants will enjoy light bites during a pre-event reception, selfie stations, ask-the-expert booths and more. Social media will be following via #BettysLegacy.

This is the third year for Candid Conversations which aims to raise awareness for breast cancer and honor Betty Ford’s legacy.

“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 and emcee for the event. “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, if appropriate.”

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 12 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 183 ambulatory and service sites; more than 3,100 physicians and advanced practice providers, including 1,200 members of the Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a health plan with about 654,000 members. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer, with 23,400 employees. The organization provided $283 million in community benefit during its 2015 fiscal year. Spectrum Health is the only health system in Michigan to be named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems® by Truven Health Analytics for 2015. This is the fourth time the organization has received this recognition.