Pink lemonade stand to help fund cancer programs
In just a few days, residents strolling through downtown can enjoy a nice, refreshing glass of pink lemonade and help fund local programs for cancer patients at the same time.
A pink lemonade stand will be set up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in downtown Simon Park and all proceeds of the sale will go to benefit Conway Regional Health System Cancer Programs.
This fundraiser, which is cosponsored by Conway Regional Medical Center, First Security Bank and the Log Cabin Democrat, will be held in honor of the fact that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month.
"Conway Regional is dedicated to providing the latest technology and high quality care for the patients of this community and many of those patients suffer from cancer," Lori Ross, spokesperson for Conway Regional, said. "By going out and buying your glass of pink of lemonade you can help brighten the day of a cancer patient who may be receiving a treatment in our Cancer Hematology Outpatient Unit, help purchase a wig for the cancer patient who has lost her hair or provide educational materials for the newly diagnosed cancer patient who is struggling to learn everything they can about this disease."
According to Ross, last year Conway Regional provided over $4 million in charity care alone and said donations and fundraisers, such as the pink lemonade stand, help the hospital continue to provide care and still offer the latest technology available in detecting breast cancer, which is digital mammography.
A drawing for a signed copy of "Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips" by Kris Carr will also be held at the pink lemonade stand this week. Carr has been featured on "The Montel Williams Show" and the "Today" show and will be on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" today.
Carr's book includes the stories of her journey through cancer, as well as the experiences of her friends who have gone through the same thing. The book offers practical and comforting advice for cancer patients on everything from boosting your immune system to dating.
Those interested in purchasing the book can do so at www.globepequot.com.
"We are grateful to the Log Cabin Democrat, First Security Bank, the City of Conway and others who are supporting this event," Ross said. "This truly shows the spirit of Conway and how we work together to take care of the people in this community the place in which we live, work and play."
If you can't make it out to Simon Park for a glass of pink lemonade this week or you missed the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure this past Saturday, there are still opportunities to contribute to the support of local cancer patients.
Ross said any contributions to Conway Regional Medical Center can be directed specifically to the cancer program.
"We also have scholarship funds available at the hospital and one is directed to oncology nurses and residents may want to donate to that fund," Ross said.
Ross added other ways people can support cancer efforts are through the American Cancer Society and the Komen Foundation.
(Staff writer Jessica Bauer can be reached by e-mail at jessica.bauer@thecabin.net or by phone at 505-1236. To comment on this and other stories in the Log Cabin, log on to www.thecabin.net. Send us your news at www.thecabin.net/submit)