October 30, 2014 -- October is the month which has been set aside nationally to recognize not only victims and survivors of breast cancer, but also to bring awareness to the illness and to educate the masses.
MCLB Albany’s Fire and Rescue team’s “hot pink” uniform shirts can be seen around the installation — a bold indicator it’s “Thinking Pink” for October. Phillip Partin, fire chief, Fire Department, MCLB Albany, and his team suited up in support of the American Cancer Society’s efforts in working toward finding a cure to eradicate this devastating illness.
The command’s active-duty Marines as well as civilian-Marines also joined forces, recently, and showed their support in the ongoing battle against breast cancer.
In support of the fight, several Marines from the installation volunteered during a Women’s Health Conference, held at
Phoebe HealthWorks, Albany, Georgia, Oct. 18.
In the spirit of commitment to country and community, service members escorted cancer survivors, who modeled head gear down the runway in a “Crowns for a Cure” hat parade and fashion show.
Tina Phipps, retired Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital employee and 14-year cancer survivor, coordinated the fashion show.
“Today, I’m coordinating the ‘Crowns for a Cure,’ which includes the MCLB (Albany) Marines, as well as cancer survivors, who will be wearing hats from our ‘It’s a Wrap’ collection,” Phipps said.
According to Phipps, this marked the second year Marines from the base have volunteered for the conference.
“It is an honor for us to have the Marines here again this year,” Phipps admitted. “After all, who wouldn’t want to walk down the runway with a Marine on their arm.”
The conference’s organizer, Darrell Sabbs, community benefits coordinator at Phoebe, said the event, which drew a crowd of several hundred women, including 40-plus vendors/Phoebe partners, was celebrating its 10th year.
“It’s for women in our community and the area to help inform them of the importance of early detection and to get the message of awareness and prevention out,” Sabbs pointed out.
“We use this day to celebrate survivorship, to recognize women, who are the gatekeepers of health and to relay the message that early detection is your best protection.”
Sabbs echoed Phipps regarding the significance of the Marines’ presence at the function.
“Let me thank the military,” he said. “Not only do they (perform) a wonderful service to our country, but also this is their second year participating directly in this event. There’s something about the pride, the honor that the military brings wherever they go.
“Whenever our military shows up at any event, they exude pride, discipline and honor,” Sabbs added. “And, to bring that into this environment is such a wonderful fit for what we do.
“Women here become so encouraged and they feel so special to have the (Marines) stop, take the time and bring some of that honor to their day,” he concluded. “It just makes it a special day and, overall, we feel honored.”
According to the American Cancer Society, strides are being made in finding cures resulting from early detection and continuous research.
For more information on breast cancer, updated statistics and progress made in this cause, visit the website,
www.cancer.org.