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Chambers Of Commerce Helping To 'Paint The Town Pink'

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: October 12, 2008

SEBRING - The county's three chambers of commerce and Florida Hospital Heartland Division joined together to "Paint the Town Pink" for October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Thousands of pink breast cancer awareness car magnets are available at chamber offices. Each chamber office will raffle off a bright pink basket full of goodies, including a free mammogram from Florida Hospital.

During October, at each chamber meeting, a dozen pink roses will be given away.

All of the proceeds will stay at home to benefit the Relay for Life events in each individual municipality.

The chamber directors hope that residents will remember to schedule a mammogram in a bid to diagnose breast cancer early.

Eileen May is the president and CEO of the Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce.

"We have a very strong partnership with all three chambers and we're proud to partner with them for the success of this program," said May.
David Greenslade runs the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce and hopes to create that little nudge or reminder needed to get someone to schedule a mammogram. He noted that men sometimes are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Cathy Albritton is the director of marketing and community relations at Florida Hospital Heartland Division and is a breast cancer survivor.

"We're encouraging people to go to their local chamber offices, pick up a magnet, make a donation to Relay for Life and register to win a huge pink gift basket, with a free mammogram," said Albritton. "We want to encourage people to make an appointment now.

"Everybody knows somebody with cancer," she added.

Sarah Pallone is president/CEO of the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce.

"We're excited to help create awareness of breast cancer," said Pallone. "Come down to your chamber, get a magnet and help fight something that affects all businesses and the community as a whole."

For information on mammograms, or to schedule an appointment with Florida Hospital staff, call 402-8833

Bill Rettew Jr. may be contacted at 386-5857 or wrettew@highlandstoday.com

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