Pictured from left are Megan Barone, director of development WCA Foundation; Steve and Anne Sischo, Shades of Pink chairs, Randy Grey, Shades of Pink co-chair, and Brigetta Overcash, executive director WCA Foundation stand in UPMC Chautauqua’s new medical oncology exam room. Submitted photo

On Aug. 2, the fifth annual Shades of Pink Golf Tournament was held at South Hills Country Club to benefit UPMC Chautauqua’s Shades of Pink Program.

This year, the tournament raised $8,000, putting the total amount at over $25,000 that was donated from the proceeds from the event. Over the past few years, the Shades of Pink program has been able to pay for radiology technicians to obtain their breast navigation certification, care items for breast cancer patients, and help assist those without insurance to pay for mammograms.

Ann Sischo, local breast cancer survivor and her husband Steve along with a longtime friend, Randy Grey spearheaded the event with their family and friends. Ann and her husband Steve wanted to see that money stayed local and was used to help others through the difficult times.

“When I found out that I had cancer,” Ann said, “the staff at UPMC Chautauqua’s Mammography Department were so positive, warm and comforting. We wanted to ensure people in the community were able to receive the same care as I had. The money we donate will be able to provide women in the community breast cancer screenings and the care, support and education they need to navigate through this journey. We were able to raise $8,000 again this year, far exceeding our expectations, and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of our committee, community and supporters.”

UPMC Chautauqua Shades of Pink breast screening program started in 2012 in the UPMC Chautauqua’s Center for Imaging. The purpose of the program is to increase access of breast screening to women who are identified as having barriers obtaining a clinical breast exams and mammogram.

UPMC Chautauqua Shades of Pink is a “one-stop same day” screening program. Women come to UPMC Chautauqua Center for Imaging where a nurse practitioner or physician will perform a clinical breast exam. Then the women moves on to get her mammogram screening and will receive same day results. UPMC Chautauqua’s Certified Breast Navigator educates the women on her results of her screening and helps her to move to further diagnostic testing if her screening identifies any suspicious findings. The support given by the breast navigator moves throughout the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer.

Finding breast cancer in its earliest stages can saves lives. The overall efforts of the UPMC Chautauqua Shades of Pink breast screening program are to educate, support, and connect women in need of breast screening, diagnosis and treatment of suspicious findings without delay. This will decrease the mortality rate at which women in our community die from breast cancer.

Runnings Ladies Night also contributed to Shades of Pink this year, wanting money to stay local for local care.

If you are interested in donating to the UPMC Chautauqua Shades of Pink Program or participate in the Shades of Pink Golf Tournament, contact Megan Barone, director of development at 664-8423 or Baronema3@upmc.edu.