October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Hello Everyone!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease, the value of screening and early detection, and treatment options available to women (and men) who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

At our last General Meeting, we had a guest speaker, Dr. Elisabeth Dupont, a board certified surgeon and medical director of Breast Health Services at Watson Clinic in Lakeland, Florida. Dr. Dupont specializes in the treatment, surgical procedures of breast cancer as well as other identifying techniques related to the disease. She adamantly “believes in delivering the most patient-centered care possible and works to achieve an evaluation and diagnosis in a stress-free, caring, and timely manner.”

She demonstrates this by being actively involved in numerous professional activities and memberships, such as, the American Society of Breast Disease, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, Society of Surgical Oncology, just to name a few. With that being said, it was indeed a great privilege and honor to have her come and speak to us on the subject at our last meeting.

In my opinion, and I believe I am correct in saying this, Dr. Dupont made a great impression that night. One thing that I especially noted and observed was that all of us were quietly, attentively listening and absorbing her every word. Her informative speech, not only reinforced the severity of the disease, helped us to better understand and recognize the role/journey of breast cancer. She especially highlighted that “breast cancer is not just an older women’s disease-young men and women can be diagnosed with it, too.”

Her sharing her knowledge and accounts from her profession has inspired us on how we can further help our community by passing onto others the resourceful information that we ourselves obtained from her. I remember her mentioning and highly recommending the Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida should one need “help and hope to families impacted by breast cancer.”

Overall, I felt very happy with the way her speech went. Some people even opened up about their own experiences, which I didn’t really expect.

To conclude, I enjoyed the night and found it very rewarding and I am sincerely grateful to have been part of this wonderful opportunity. So, a sincere, heartfelt, “Thank You” to Dr. Dupont. She was truly an inspiring speaker to us all on so very many levels.

As always, I look forward to seeing everyone soon and thank you for being a supporter of the Junior League of Greater Winter Haven.

Post Script: Baby Stork Pile has a goal to donate at least twenty-four baskets of baby supplies and other baby essentials this year. When able, please assist in pursuing donations from local businesses or look into setting up collection boxes at your workplace, if possible. Should you have any questions regarding this, please reach out the the co-chairs: Jennifer Schaal and Anna Bostick.

Also, be sure to look into the the Fall Cookie Decorating Class at Sugar & Slice. I see that space is limited. Details are on the JLGWH Facebook page.

Stephani E. Lewis

Writer of the JLGWH Blog

2019-2020

Our Mission: The Junior League of Greater Winter Haven, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.