Cancer Awareness Events Scheduled
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are some of the events planned for the region that will address breast cancer prevention and education:
* On Tuesday, Intimate Image, a shop specializing in breast prostheses, wigs and and other items for women with medical needs, will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The store, formerly in West Hills, has moved to a larger space in Woodland Hills.
Guests at the event will include Laura Piel, who designs hats for women with hair loss; Rochelle Drake, a specialist in treating swelling that occurs after breast surgery; and representatives of the American Cancer Society and the Wellness Community.
Intimate Image is located at 22941 Ventura Blvd. in Woodland Hills. For more information, call (818) 999-9719.
* On Friday, a free health fair focusing on breast cancer prevention and education will be at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center.
The fair will offer breast self-examination demonstrations using breast models, information on risk-factor reduction, exercise and nutrition, said Kaiser spokeswoman Lisa Kort. She said more than 1,000 people are expected to attend the fair.
Representatives from the American Cancer Society and other agencies will have information about support groups and counseling services for breast cancer survivors.
U.S. Postal Service representatives will display the 40-cent breast cancer stamp, which has been available since August. Eight cents from every stamp sold will go to benefit breast cancer research, Kort said.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, 5601 DeSoto Ave., Woodland Hills. For more information, call (818) 719-4305 .
* On Oct. 17, “tribute flags” will be worn to honor loved ones with breast cancer, hikers of all ages will converge at Paramount Ranch to raise money for research. The third annual “Take-A-Hike for Breast Cancer” offers trails for all levels of ability, including a six-mile hike for more experienced participants.
“If you really are an out-of-shape person . . . the beginning hike will really be a very gentle stroll,” said Take-A-Hike spokeswoman Libby Huebner. In the last two years, the event raised $175,000 for breast cancer research at UCLA’s Jonsson and USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Centers.
To register, call (213) 486-4558 or sign up the day of the hike at 8 a.m. at Paramount Ranch, at Cornell Road and Mulholland Highway in Agoura Hills. The registration fee is $25 beforehand and $30 the day of the hike.
* Oct. 23-25--About 2,400 people will walk 60 miles during a three-day trek from Santa Barbara to Malibu. The walkers will raise a minimum of $1,700 each for breast health programs nationwide at the event, known as Avon’s Breast Cancer 3 Day.
Registration for the walk is already closed, but organizers are still seeking volunteers to staff a support crew for the event, said spokeswoman Samantha Farrar. For more information about volunteering or making a pledge, call (888) 332-9286.
