10th Annual Women of Color Health Awareness Conference

10th Annual Women of Color Health Awareness Conference “Reflections in Health, Visions of Wellness” and “Sisters Supporting Sisters” Women of Color Breast Cancer Screening Day

A FREE Health Event, Saturday, September 6th, 2014, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the STAR Center, Metro Parks’ beautiful recreation facility located at 3873 S. 66th St., Tacoma, WA 98409.

Women, and girls ages 5 and older attending the “Reflections in Health, Visions in Wellness” will find captivating activities, presentations and information from the host of venues focusing on Breast Cancer and healthy lifestyles. The event includes an opportunity to get a mammogram, at no cost to qualified participants, at the Carol Milgard Breast Center. This annual event is the largest health conference in Washington State that focuses on the needs and concerns of women of color.

Reflections in Health, Visions in Wellness is sponsored by Women of Color Health Awareness Committee of Pierce County (WOC), and Bethlehem Baptist Church, with the support of the Carol Milgard Breast Center, Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Molina Healthcare, and other health care and community organizations.

The WOC is a nonprofit organization with a goal to empower women to become the role model for healthy lifestyles in their family. Every year for the last ten years, the themes have provided opportunities to encourage women to incorporate health lifestyles and health screenings as part of their annual health care. This year, the committee is reflecting on past themes: “Live, Love, Laugh”, “Support Our Sisters”, “First Woman of Health”, and others.

To pre-register, call Event Chairperson Karol Brown, at, (253) 238-3642 or register on-line at: www.WOChealthawareness.com. On-site registration begins at 8:00 a.m.

Activities kick-off at 8:30 a.m. with a Girltrek 1.5 mile walk. Girltrek is a national organization encouraging Black women to walk for better health. The Women of Color committee invites women in the Tacoma area to join in on this initiative to encourage regular walking group activities. Visit with the Ebony Nurses of Tacoma for health screenings including; diabetes, and blood pressure or receive a massage from Everett College Students. There will also be a healthy continental breakfast and a breakfast menu cooking demonstration.

Girls ages 5 to 11 will enjoy their own MultiCare “5-2-1-0” Ready Set Go healthy living workshop. Older girls, ages 12 to 20 will engage in discussions on Breast Health, presented by the Carol Milgard Breast Center and the Leaders in Women’s Health and “Smart Love” from CareNet. Women attending will enjoy visiting over 30 community service and retail exhibitors and door prizes.

At 11 a.m., we present a dynamic keynote speaker, National Best Selling author, Debrena Jackson Gandy. Debrena returns to share her wisdom on self-care and love relationships. Her book titles are Sacred Pampering Principles, All The Joy You Can Stand and her new book released in September 2014, The Love Lies. Debrena will kick off her, The Love Lies National Book Tour at the WOC Event.

At the noon Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon, enjoy a delicious lunch, keynote speaker, Dr. Rachel Ceballos from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, entertainment, and join in as we honor breast cancer survivors. Our theme, which will reflects on past programs, includes a student mentoring activity and honoring “Distinguished Women” from the community during the luncheon.

Along with all the activity at the STAR center, there is “Sisters Supporting Sisters” Women of Color Breast Cancer Screening Day at the Carol Milgard Breast Center. This is an exclusive opportunity for women to support each other in an action that may save lives. We invite Women to board the “Sisters Party Bus” from the STAR Center during the Reflections of Health, Visions of Wellness event to and from the Carol Milgard Breast Center. Fifty women ages 40 and over, who have pre-registered for a mammogram, will have the support of other women before, during, and after their mammogram. This service is provided at no cost to qualified patients. Pre-registration for a mammogram is required by August 15, 2014. Call Janice Kalip at (253) 680-3431.

For more information about this event, contact: Karol Brown at karol@wochealthawareness.com, or call (253) 238-3642.

Women of Color Committee