Breast cancer survivor speaks at Women’s Night Out

Breast cancer survivor and motivational speaker Dee Dee Ricks will be the keynote speaker at Lexington Medical Center’s annual Women’s Night Out event Oct. 16 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 38, Ricks went through extensive treatment, including bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy and reconstruction. Then, she channeled her energies toward treating cancer patients in underserved communities in New York City. She has developed a national coalition of patient navigators to improve standards of practice and compassionate care for underserved individuals.

A documentary of her breast cancer journey, “The Education of Dee Dee Ricks,” has been featured on HBO.

Proceeds from Women’s Night Out benefit the Lexington Medical Center Foundation’s Crystal Smith Fund, which helps women undergoing cancer treatment purchase needed supplies. The event begins at 5:45 p.m. with a health exhibit. Tickets are $35.

Information: (803) 791-2445 or www.lexmed.com

Walk for Life/Race for Life adds 10K event

Thousands in the Midlands will be rising early Saturday for the annual Walk for Life/Race for Life.

The breast cancer walk drew 7,100 participants last year and traditionally is one of the largest charity events in the area. This year, there’s a new 10K race along with the 5K race. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at Finlay Park.

You can register individually or as a team at www.palmettohealthfoundation.org.

Churches can sign up for Pink Sunday

Hundreds of churches throughout South Carolina will distribute educational packets about breast cancer during the annual Pink Sunday effort on Oct. 21.

Each participating church gets 500 packets. The packets contain information about breast health, the importance of early detection and resources available for those battling the disease.

The effort also encourages people to wear pink clothing or pink ribbons and churches to celebrate breast cancer survivors in their congregation.

Church leaders who would like to sign up for the program should register by Sept. 30.

Information or to register: www.KomenSCMM.org or (864) 234-5035.

Afterschool program leads to running race

The Run Hard 5K Race on Nov. 10 is part of a program that encourages boys in grades 2-5 to lead healthier lifestyles.

Nearly 200 boys from 10 elementary schools in Lexington County began participating in an eight-week afterschool program, sponsored by Crossover Athletics, to prepare for the race. They have focused on peer pressure, perseverance, wise choices, work ethic, leadership, teamwork, honesty, respect and honor.

The 5K race will begin at Radius Church on Main Street in Lexington at 8 a.m. It is free to enter and open to boys who aren’t in the afterschool program.

Information: www.runhard.org or www.crossoverathletics.org

Do you have sugar diabetes?

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing are looking for African-Americans with sugar diabetes who are willing to participate in a focus group.

The project’s aim is to help health officials understand the everyday living experiences for those with diabetes, especially how the get information about the disease. The focus group meetings will last about 90 minutes and will be conducted in the local communities. Participants will get a free lunch and compensation.

Information: (866) 551-3010

Bird-watching can be ideal fall exercise

If you’re looking for an excuse to get out and exercise in the cooler fall weather, here are few interesting choices:

•  Consider a trip to Santee National Wildlife Refuge for one of three bird walks.

The free walks are timed to catch the fall migration of birds through the refuge. To join the walks, meet at the refuge Visitor Center at 2125 Fort Watson Road near Summerton at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 or Oct. 20. You don’t have to be a veteran birder, but it is best if you bring your own binoculars. Knowledge is easier to share than binoculars.

Information: (803) 478-2217 or www.fws.gov/santee

•  Or head out to Harbison State Forest on Saturday to mountain bike with your child or learn about adventure racing. Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day is from 9 a.m.-noon. Members of the local chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association will be there to help with bike safety checkups and off-road training. They even offer free lunch if you register ahead of time. From noon-4 p.m., there’s a clinic for adults interested in adventure racing, which involves mountain biking, paddling, trekking and orienteering. Spots in the clinic are limited, so you need to register in advance.

Information: midlandssorba@gmail.com for the mountain biking event and (803) 312-3765 or imshuevl@smail.com for the adventure race clinic

•  Or head out to Congaree National Park for a self-paced or guided hikes on miles of trails and boardwalks. Go to www.nps.cong for details.

Camp helps kids deal with grief

Brett’s Rainbow Bereavement Camp aims to improve the emotional, psychological and spiritual health of children who have experienced the death of a family member or significant other.

The 20th edition of the camp will be Oct. 27 at the White Oak Conference Center at 633 Mobley Highway, Winnsboro. It’s designed for children ages 5-18 but also includes day-long activities for parents or guardians of the children.

The camp is free thanks to community contributions to Palmetto Health Hospice. If you know a child who needs this type of special attention, applications for the camp are due by Oct. 22.

This year’s camp still is in need of volunteers. For more information about volunteering or to request an application, call Karen Brazell, Brett’s Rainbow Camp director, at (803) 296-3331 or go to www.PalmettoHealth.org.

Compiled by Joey Holleman