Retreat Contest "supports" Breast Cancer Awareness

Oct. 1, 2009

GOSHEN, Ind. - Breast Cancer Awareness month officially begins today (Oct. 1, 2009), and The Retreat Women's Health Center is showing its "support" through the 2nd annual Decorated Bra Contest.

From now through the end of October, the lobby of The Retreat Women's Health Center, 1135 Professional Dr., Goshen, will showcase dozens of decorated bras designed to bring attention to the importance of mammograms and early breast cancer detection.

"We started the event last year as way to do something unique during National Breast Cancer Awareness month," said Stacy Bowers, Health Education Coordinator at The Retreat. "Diagnosing breast cancer early makes all the difference. Anything we can do to draw attention to Breast Cancer Awareness and early detection is important."

For the first year, Colleagues from The Retreat submitted entries decorated with a theme and slogan highlighting the importance of early detection. Last year's winner was a dog-treat covered brassiere with the slogan "Mammograms aren't as 'Ruff' as Breast Cancer. Be your own best friend and get a Mammogram."

Response to the contest was so overwhelming throughout Goshen Health System and the community, The Retreat opened the contest to all health system Colleagues for the second annual event.

"We asked Colleagues to get creative, and consider how they would encourage their friend, sister or mother to get a mammogram," Bowers said. "They really came through, and it is special knowing each entry was created by Goshen Health System Colleagues exclusively for the purpose of promoting breast cancer awareness and to help support Heart String Sisters. The entries are fantastic and we're excited for the community to see them and cast their vote." Throughout October, community members can vote for their favorite entry one of two ways - either by coming to The Retreat to cast their vote in person or by voting online at www.goshenbracontest.org. Online voting is just $1 per vote. Votes cast at The Retreat are only .25 per vote. All proceeds will benefit the HeartStrings Sisters program that helps provide mammograms for uninsured or underinsured women. HeartStrings Sisters also connects newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to breast cancer survivors.


After votes are tallied, the top 10 bras will go on tour as part of a traveling awareness and educational display at select Goshen Health System sites including Goshen General Hospital Lobby, Goshen Center for Cancer Care, The Retreat OB/GYN, Family Health Care of Middlebury, Shipshewana Family Medicine and New Paris Medical Clinic.

About The Retreat Women's Health Center:
The Retreat Women's Health Center is the home of Goshen Health System's comprehensive, state-of-the-art women's services program - designed by women for women. The Retreat offers the full-field digital mammography system, lunar bone densitometry and 4D ultrasound equipment, as well as massage, a health resource center with on-site health educator and complementary medicine therapies. With a unique environment that is welcoming to women, The Retreat has been named a Summit Award Winner two years in a row by Press Ganey Associates for sustaining the highest level of customer satisfaction for three or more consecutive years. To learn more, call 574-537-5000.


About Goshen Health System:
Goshen Health System is a not-for-profit provider of health care that includes Goshen General Hospital, The Goshen Center for Cancer Care, Park Home Medical Equipment, PrimeCare Physician Network, The Retreat Women's Health Center and Indiana Lakes Managed Care Organization. The health system is an affiliate partner of Clarian Health, which includes Indiana University Hospital, Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis and Riley Hospital for Children. For more information about this story or any related to Goshen Health System, contact Bridget Levitz, Public Relations Coordinator, at 574-535-2776 or visit www.goshenhealth.org.