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Warrensburg, MO (October 13, 2022)—Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness month by hosting its 10th Annual Ladies’ Night Out (LNO) Event on October 11 at the UCM Multipurpose Building. This event promoted breast health awareness and encouraged women to get their annual mammograms through fun giveaways, raffles, and a panel of speakers.
LNO was first held in a conference room at WMMC, where women came to hear about the importance of breast cancer awareness and early detection. Five years later, it expanded to the ballroom at the UCM Student Union. In 2021, after maxing out the capacity of the ballroom, the event was hosted in the UCM Multipurpose building. “It has been an honor to watch this event grow over the years, so we can reach as many people as possible to educate them about early detection,” said Tara Carlyle, Strategy and Development Executive. “Many women have attended LNO all ten years, and some have even caught breast cancer as a result of scheduling a mammogram at our event.”
This annual event strives for two goals – to raise awareness of the importance of preventative screenings and to create a fun, educational environment for women. This year there were over 50 vendors set up, including two massage therapists offering free massages and Warrensburg Cosmetology School offering free manicures. This was a record-setting year, including over 550 attendees and, most importantly, almost 150 mammograms scheduled.
LNO ticket holders received a VIP with goodies and a custom t-shirt. There were over 28 raffles given out to the attendees, including $1,000 in cash prizes to women who scheduled their mammograms.
The honorary survivor for the evening was Felisa Brown, a breast cancer survivor. Felisa attended LNO last year and scheduled a mammogram as a result. Following her mammogram, she was diagnosed with Stage I ductal breast cancer around Thanksgiving after discovering she would be a grandmother. Felisa soon began treatment and is now on the road to recovery. Joining Felisa on the panel was Shea Fijal, RN-BSN, FNP – BC, a provider in the Western Missouri Cancer Center, and Brooke Rindels, RN-BSN, Director of the Western Missouri Cancer Center. The three women shared their stories and testimonies on their perspectives on breast cancer, the impact it makes, and the importance of early detection.
One in eight women will have breast cancer, and Missouri women have one less barrier in their fight against breast cancer. Insurance providers were required to cover the cost of 3D mammography starting at age 40. Don’t wait until the unthinkable occurs and schedule a mammogram at the WMMC Centralized Scheduling Department at (660) 262-7370.
LNO Panelists (from left to right): Brooke Rindels, Shea Fijal, NP, and Felisa Brown
Alexia Gray, Owner of Sweet Peeks 3D/4D Ultrasound
LNO Attendees
LNO Attendees
Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) is a fully-accredited acute care county medical center located in Warrensburg, MO. WMMC prides itself in emergency care, obstetrics, orthopedic and general surgery, family healthcare, internal medicine, outpatient clinics, ambulatory care, rehabilitation services and more. Inpatient services include medical, surgical, intensive, obstetrical, orthopedic, pediatric, and skilled nursing care and a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic outpatient services. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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