As many of you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and with Celilo Cancer Center being the only accredited cancer center in the Gorge, MCMC is commemorating this occasion with a very special community partnership with Freebridge Brewery.

On Saturday October 1^st, Freebridge Brewery and Mid-Columbia Medical Center hosted a launch party for “Raising Hope” Lager, a special beer brewed by Freebridge to help those in our community in their fight against cancer. Throughout the month of October, proceeds from every purchase of Raising Hope Lager will go to the Celilo Cancer Fund. Proceeds from this fund go towards patient assistance services such as wigs, massage, acupuncture, transportation to and from appointments, and other services or supplies as determined by the Celilo Cancer Center staff.

The kick-off event was a huge success, reminding us that when our community works together, anything is possible and we are grateful to Steve Light, owner of Freebridge Brewery, for helping us raise cancer awareness and provide patients and their families with inspiration, encouragement, and hope.  Kerry Proctor made an excellent toast as we all raised a glass to HOPE!

Engaging community partners can add enthusiasm, expertise, and excitement to a program, and we are very excited to have incredible partners at Columbia Gorge Motors. As part of their Pretty in Pink promotion, Columbia Gorge Motors is pledging to donate $50 for each vehicle sold in the month of October to our Breast Health Fund. We are thankful to our community partners, Aaron & Rachel Carter, owners of Columbia Gorge Motors, for their continued support helping to provide local women in need with free mammograms.

Many thanks to our incredible partners, Freebridge Brewery and Columbia Gorge Motors. The owners of both businesses have proven to be the kind of corporate citizens that sets the standard for all local businesses.

October is also a great month for women to remember to schedule their mammograms. For us men, we should remind and encourage our wives, mothers, daughters, and friends to get screened. Like most malignancies, breast cancer is most survivable when it is caught early.  The Breast Center at MCMC was the first in Oregon and the only one in The Gorge since 2009 to earn national accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC). If you have a family history of cancer, speak with your doctor about your risk factors and how often you should receive a breast cancer screening.

We continue to explore our affiliation with Adventist Health and look forward to how it would enhance overall cancer care services within our community. Stay tuned for more news as our due diligence on our affiliation unfolds.