AdventHealth rings in annual Pink Out initiative at Dr. Phillips Center with art piece

Fla., September 25, 2019 — ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 25, 2019 — To kick off AdventHealth’s annual Pink Out initiative, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and leaders from AdventHealth gathered at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday to debut a new Pink Out display in honor of breast cancer survivors. After two weeks, the piece will travel to the Amway Center, where it will be housed for the remainder of October as a reminder of the importance of early detection.

The large, free-standing display spells out “Pink Out” in oversized letters. It features a bell at the top of the letter “i” in “Pink,” similar to the one patients ring when completing their chemotherapy treatments. Ringing the bell for survivors can be a statement of triumph and a reminder to others to hold friends and family members accountable for early detection and screening.

During the unveiling, Dyer proclaimed October 2019 “Pink Out Month” in Orlando.

“There’s no better way to honor those who have fought breast cancer than to advocate for early detection,” Dyer said. “When someone at one of our city venues hears this bell, I hope they will be reminded of the importance of mammograms.”

AdventHealth’s annual Pink Out campaign, which coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness month, aims to bring awareness to the importance of preventative screenings. The initiative also raises funds — through local events and donations —to support the over 1,000 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients treated every year at AdventHealth.

Through charitable contributions, Pink Out has funded screening mammograms and additional diagnostic testing for thousands of uninsured and underserved women since 2010. Dozens of those women were diagnosed and treated for breast cancer as a result of the mammograms they received. This year’s fundraising efforts support women battling breast cancer by providing vital resources, such as access to cutting-edge treatment through clinical trials and research.

“Unfortunately, many of us don’t have to go very far down the list of friends and family members to find someone who has been impacted by breast cancer,” said Dr. Rajan Wadhawan, senior executive officer of AdventHealth for Women. “Having a conversation about this with our loved ones could save their lives. We hope this initiative will remind everyone in our community about the importance of screening for breast cancer.”

An estimated 268,000 women nationwide are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. With methods of detection and treatment, many women can, and do, beat breast cancer — and annual mammograms are the most effective tool in the fight.

“Breast cancer is very curable when detected early,” said Dr. Devina McCray, a breast surgical oncologist at AdventHealth. “We want women to know that getting a mammogram is not only extremely important, it can be convenient and easily accessible.”

Throughout October, AdventHealth is offering mammograms for $30 in 30 minutes. To schedule a mammogram, attend a Pink Out event or make a donation, visit PinkOut.com.