Amanda M. Usher | The Valdosta Daily TimesPumpkins are decorated by the staff of the South Georgia Medical Center Pearlman Cancer Center to promote the upcoming Pink Party. 

VALDOSTA — Breast cancer patients are not alone. 

Many times women feel secluded from others after being diagnosed with breast cancer and enduring treatment, said Ellen Woodard, oncology social worker for South Georgia Medical Center Pearlman Cancer Center.

“Some women feel very isolated when they’re first diagnosed because of the stigma attached with cancer diagnosis,” she said.

To support men and women who have braved their battle with breast cancer, SGMC will host a Pink Party, 10 a.m.-noon, Oct. 13, in the SGMC cafeteria. It will be held in partnership with Sigma Gamma Rho.

Breast cancer survivor Lawanna Barron originated the party six years ago and connected with SGMC about four or five years ago, Woodard said.

“Lawanna originally did this because she said she found a lot of people didn’t want to talk about their cancer; and that, when she gave her testimony, all of a sudden, all these people she knew are cancer survivors,” Woodard said.

Mayor John Gayle or a Valdosta City Council member will be present to proclaim October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Valdosta, Woodard said.

Sarah Fretti is an instructor for Valdosta State University exercise physiology program. She will be guest speaker to discuss exercise after breast cancer treatment, Woodard said.

An award ceremony will be held to offer medals to the survivors, and those who have lost their battle will be remembered, Woodard said.

New to the annual party, Valdosta Fire Chief Freddie Broome will bring a pink fire truck from the Tift County Fire Department for guests to sign.

There will be a fashion show during the party for survivors to work the runway. Participants are being accepted until the day of the event.

Woodard said previous models have come dressed head to toe in pink and have worn their survivor T-shirts. One even wore a pink tutu.

“It takes a lot of courage to stand up after you’ve been through cancer treatment and be the center of attention,” Woodard said.

She said some participants either don’t have hair or hair that is growing back. Some have had a mastectomy – removal of the breast.

Part of the Pink Party’s purpose is to display longevity following a cancer diagnosis, Woodard said.

“More and more, as therapies improve, more people are living with cancer as like a chronic disease. If it’s not curable, we can still treat it and people can still live a long time, the good quality of life, and still be productive.

“So that’s part of this is to show, look at how many women are now surviving breast cancer, and look how we don’t let cancer completely take us down, that we get through it,” she said. “Pearlman is here to help people survive and thrive after their treatments, keep them healthy.” 

The Pink Party is open for everyone, even patients not being treated at Pearlman. Light refreshments will be served.

Call Woodard’s secretary, Tamara Lane, at (229) 259-4616 for more information. Guests can contact Woodard at (229) 259-4638. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.