Photos: Catholic Health's Mercy Hospital celebrates Pinktember 14th

Catholic Health’s Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month a few weeks early, with its fifth annual Pinktember 14th event.

Hundreds of people from the hospital community and surrounding area gathered on the lawn on Wednesday afternoon for this fun and informative event on breast cancer awareness. 

Pinktember 14th is a celebration that was created by Mercy Hospital more than five years ago as an informative lunch and learn, with the goal of spreading the importance of early detection while reinforcing the support programs available to the entire community.

Since then it has continued to grow bigger each year as a precursor to gear everyone up for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.  

“Breast Cancer Awareness should be all year round,” Joseph Manopella, president of Mercy Hospital, said. “It’s not only an October thing. I don’t think there is anyone who doesn’t know someone who has been impacted by breast cancer.” 

Dr. Lynette Mendoza, head of breast surgical oncology at Mercy Hospital, said that since 2000 the mortality rate of those diagnosed with breast cancer has plummeted 43 percent. 

“About 460,000 lives are saved each year thanks to early detection,” Mendoza said. 

Keisha Hinds, a patient access employee at Mercy and breast cancer survivor, attested to the importance of early detection.

“I went and got a mammogram every year,” Hinds said. “It’s very important to get your breasts checked.” 

Hines has been cancer-free for five years now. She was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer in September 2018, and thanks to early detection, doctors were able to address it before it spread. 

During the event attendees were provided the opportunity to meet-and-greet with physicians and learn more about screening options, resources on breast health, and remembrance and survivor activities provided by the hospital and surrounding community. 

Among the activities this year was a dunk tank, a fan-favorite among hospital staff, where members of the hospital’s executive team volunteered to take a dip to help raise money for the radiology and imaging departments. 

The event also included giveaways, entertainment, games, and refreshments including healthy smoothies, cotton candy, and soft serve ice cream with pink sprinkles.

Vendors at this year’s event also included Mercy’s Radiology and Imaging departments, Hospital physicians, genetic counselors, dieticians, the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition, the American Cancer Society, Adelphi Breast Health Center and more.