Memphis Breast Cancer Consortium (MBCC) will present the fourth-annual Live Memphis Breast Cancer Summit Saturday, February 3, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at G.E. Patterson Family Life Center. Women of all ages are invited to come enjoy a day of life-saving breast health workshops and onsite mammograms.
Live Memphis began as an engaging way to educate African-American women about breast cancer and encourage preventive measures to promote early detection, which often leads to a cure. This summit was initially convened in 2015 by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, as part of its dedication to address the most-pressing health issues in the community. The university worked in collaboration with community groups that also had a desire to battle breast cancer in the African-American community. UTHSC served as the host and lead sponsor in 2015, and has been joined each following year by Baptist Cancer Center and West Cancer Center.
Each year, an average of 700 women attend the Live Memphis Breast Cancer Summit. The 2018 theme is Live Love Learn. The emcee is WMC-TV Action News 5 Anchor Kym Clark, who will be joined by Action News 5 Anchor/Traffic Reporter Janeen Gordon as the keynote speaker. Gordon is a two-time cancer survivor and an advocate for early detection.
Attendees will be treated to breakfast and lunch, a gift bag, and the opportunity to win prizes and receive spa services, such as massages and mini-manicures/pedicures. Several national and local organizations will be on hand distributing information about a host of topics related to health and wellness. This event is free, but space is limited, and those wishing to attend are encouraged to reserve a seat by visiting www.mbcc.live. The G.E. Patterson Family Life Center is located at 369 G.E. Patterson Boulevard in Memphis.
MBCC Project Director Carla Baker, RN, is excited about the way women have embraced Live Memphis. “Live Memphis has become a highly anticipated event in the Memphis region,” she said. “This year, we are encouraging each woman who plans to attend to bring at least one family member or friend to LIVE, LOVE and LEARN! Breast cancer is personal for me because my sister was one of the many who died from this disease, and I am committed to make sure women LIVE!”
The Memphis Breast Cancer Consortium is a community partnership of Common Table Health Alliance that was launched in 2016 to bring together organizations and individuals committed to the fight against breast cancer inequalities in Memphis and Shelby County. There are currently 34 participating organizations. Common Table Health Alliance has been spearheading the conversation about how to achieve health equity in Memphis and Shelby County since its 2000 inception.
To learn more about Live Memphis and RSVP, visit www.mbcc.live or call Common Table Health Alliance at 901.800.5108.