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Warrensburg, MO – Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its 12th Annual Ladies’ Night Out (LNO) event on Oct. 8, 2024, at the Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center (UCM Multipurpose Building). This year’s event promoted breast health awareness and encouraged women to schedule their annual mammograms through engaging activities, raffles, and inspiring speakers.
Over 700 women attended the event, with over 850 tickets sold and over 130 mammograms scheduled, furthering WMMC’s mission to raise awareness and support early detection. The event showcased over 60 vendors, including free pampering services provided by students from the Warrensburg Cosmetology School and the Academy of Salon Professionals of Sedalia.
Meryl Lin McKean served as the emcee, and the evening’s guest speaker was Ashley Walls, a breast cancer survivor and math teacher at Blue Springs High School. Diagnosed with Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in September 2021 at age 29, Ashley has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy treatments, and multiple surgeries. Amid her treatments, she gave birth to a baby boy last December, expressing her joy in motherhood. Recently, Ashley celebrated three years since her diagnosis and remains positive, pursuing her passions such as teaching, traveling, and spending time with loved ones. She is the leader of the Kansas City chapter of the Young Survivors Coalition and recently completed a year as a young advocate with Living Beyond Breast Cancer. Ashley aims to raise awareness among healthcare providers about the rising rates of breast cancer in young people while providing support to current patients and survivors.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support that has allowed our 12th Annual Ladies’ Night Out event to flourish,” said Tara Carlyle, Strategy & Development Executive. “It’s been rewarding to watch this event grow from a small gathering of less than 20 people in a conference room to filling a gymnasium with over 700 women. The success of this event, including the scheduling of 132 mammograms, is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and staff, who seamlessly plan for this event, as well as the generosity of our sponsors and community members. Together, we are making a significant impact on breast health awareness and early detection.”
Attendees enjoyed a VIP experience with exclusive bags filled with coupons, special deals, and custom t-shirts. Over 40 raffles were awarded throughout the evening, and those who scheduled mammograms had the chance to win cash prizes, generously sponsored by anonymous donors. The gymnasium was transformed into a beautiful pink wonderland, thanks to the talents of the UCM Facilities team, 89 Designs, and Awesome Blossoms.
“Ladies’ Night Out has become a cornerstone event for our community, and its impact grows each year,” said Darinda Dick, President/CEO of Western Missouri Medical Center. “This event not only empowers women to prioritize their health but also strengthens our mission to provide accessible, high-quality care. Seeing hundreds of women come together and take proactive steps toward early detection and prevention is truly inspiring. We are proud of the progress we’ve made and remain committed to expanding our services and resources to continue improving the health and well-being of our community.”
The 12th Annual Ladies’ Night Out event received generous support from Central Bank of Warrensburg, Community National Bank & Trust, F&C Bank, Hy-Vee of Warrensburg, Jonna Albert Accounting & Tax, Joe Good State Farm Insurance, Lindsay Tegtmeier State Farm Insurance, Morrison Healthcare, Natera, The Change Jar, Brandon Phelps for State Representative, Drs. Mark Pluym & Amira Ghazali, and Cancun Mexican Cuisine of Warrensburg.
In conjunction with the event, the hospital announced its newest initiative, Empower Through Early Detection, that expands its commitment to cancer care and detection in our greater community. The WMMC Foundation has adopted this project to partner with the hospital to achieve the goal.
The past 12 years have seen a significant increase in scheduled mammograms at WMMC, thanks to our educational efforts and events like Ladies’ Night Out. To address this pressing need, the hospital will purchase two new 3D mammography machines—one with stereotactic breast biopsy capabilities—and one additional specialized ultrasound machine for breast ultrasounds.
The total project cost is $1,355,000, with the WMMC Foundation aiming to raise $855,000 for the equipment. WMMC will fund the remaining $500,000 for construction needs.
This new technology will expand patient capacity, reduce wait times, and increase patient comfort. The stereotactic breast biopsy capability will offer a less invasive, highly accurate method for early detection and treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes that otherwise would have needed to be referred for this care.
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and WMMC continues to stand by its commitment to making breast health services accessible to all women. We encourage everyone to prioritize their health and schedule a mammogram through WMMC’s Centralized Scheduling Department at (660) 262-7370.
About Western Missouri Medical Center
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, as well as a wide range of therapeutic and diagnostic outpatient services. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.