Beaufort Kicks Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a Heartfelt Wellness Event
This past weekend, the charming city of Beaufort, South Carolina, buzzed with excitement as Beaufort Memorial Hospital launched its inaugural Breast Cancer Wellness Expo. The event was a delightful blend of support, resources, and community spirit, aimed specifically at women battling breast cancer and those striving for survivorship.
Empowering Conversations and Survivorship
Among the shining stars at the expo was Gigi Sharper-Moore, a brave breast cancer survivor whose journey began in 2018. With a radiant smile and an empowering message, she shared, “I have to take care, make sure I take care of my own self-worth, you know, because I’m valuable, you know, I’m priceless.”
Gigi, who is also a caregiver and health care provider, expressed the importance of community and connection. “People get diagnosed every day,” she noted. “There are different forms, different stages. Everybody has a different story, everybody is treated differently. And it’s good to have support groups throughout the year.” Her enthusiasm for the wellness event was palpable; she emphasized how crucial such gatherings are for sharing experiences and providing mutual support.
Celebrating the Wins
Chimene Hayward, the breast nurse navigator for Beaufort Memorial Hospital, echoed Gigi’s sentiments. “We don’t celebrate the wins enough in breast cancer survivorship,” she explained. “Whether it’s your first day after diagnosis or you’re just finishing radiation. People don’t know enough about the disease, so these resources are here to remind folks that after your diagnosis, we’re here to support you.”
The expo was filled with valuable resources focused on survivor education, fitness, beauty, and wellness. “We have literally every type of vendor that you would think of down to skin care,” Hayward added. “People don’t realize, you know, when you go through certain treatments, your skin may be affected. So, we just kind of try to think of everything that would affect that patient at this time.”
Embracing Individual Beauty
One special vendor at the event was Elizabeth Thompson, owner of EJStyles, a small business that traveled from Columbia to attend the expo. Elizabeth has a soft spot for helping women who experience hair loss due to treatments. “You’re beautiful no matter what,” she emphasized passionately. “Whether you have a handful of hair or not, you’re always beautiful. Be confident in how you look. Everyone looks different. Your beauty might not be my beauty, and that’s OK.”
A Vision for the Future
This first annual event was just the beginning for Beaufort Memorial. They plan to make the Breast Cancer Wellness Expo a cherished tradition, hoping to grow its list of vendors, resources, and attendees each year. The commitment to supporting women through their breast cancer journeys is strong and unwavering, showcasing the community’s dedication to health and healing.
Connecting and Caring
If you or someone you know is looking for more information about resources for breast cancer survivors, be sure to check out what Beaufort Memorial has to offer at their website. This month, take a moment to celebrate the warriors and survivors in our lives, and remember that the fight against breast cancer is one we’re all in together.
As we wrap up this year’s expo, let’s carry forward the message of support, awareness, and celebration of life, because together, we truly can make a difference.
