Breast cancer fundraiser to provide screenings for 30 women

ALBANY — The Links Inc.’s annual Cupcakes and Cocktails for a Cure breast cancer awareness fundraiser was pushed back from its usual October time slot to Jan. 26.

The 7-9 p.m. event will provide entertainment, information and recognize organizations that have done work to research and detect the disease. The Links Inc.’s Albany Chapter President Aditi Vance said Cupcakes and Cocktails’ goal is to provide mammograms for at least 30 women who can’t afford them.

“Screening is a critical part of making sure that we win the battle against breast cancer as individuals,” Vance said. “Early detection can really be a life-saving thing. But those who are not able to afford — or think they can’t afford — a mammogram on a schedule as prescribed by our medical personnel, they are less likely to get that screening and be able to detect cancer in the early stages so they can be treated.”

Fund Development Chairwoman Sheri Barlow called the fundraiser a celebration.

“The community can expect to come out and hear about all the amazing things (the local Links) are doing in the community with breast cancer awareness,” Barlow said. “They’ll be able to hear a lot of stories of survivors and families who have been affected by breast cancer. … We’re going to have entertainment; there’ll be lots of hors d’oeuvres, there’ll be a silent auction, a lot of fellowship and just a sense of community as we come together after the storm to celebrate and still bring awareness to breast cancer.”

Along with the established events, the Links will salute one of their former members, Sonya Taylor-Acree, who succumbed to the effects of breast cancer last May.

“(Taylor-Acree) was very instrumental, and she was one of the reasons why we actually started this event,” Barlow said. “She was pivotal in that.”

This year’s venue for the event will be Stonebridge Golf & Country Club. According to Barlow, Stonebrige “stepped up” as a partner by allowing the Links to host the event at their facility since the previous location, Sunbelt Ford-Lincoln, was heavily affected by Hurricane Michael.

Albany Area Primary Healthcare also joined as a new sponsor for Cupcakes and Cocktails.

“They’re a federally-qualified community health center, and they provide care on a sliding fee scale,” Vance said. “So regardless of your ability to pay, they’re able to provide care to you. We partnered with them this year to raise awareness of their services and also to be able to provide, specifically, mammograms for women who are in need. We’re really excited to spread the wealth around and be able to support different organizations in our community who are really in the trenches in the fight against breast cancer.

“We are hopeful that this initiative will help many women be able to detect cancer early if they have signs, or to be able to give them the peace of mind that they don’t have that challenge happening right now for them. But if they do, that they can treat it early.”

Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased through Barlow by either sending her an email at [email protected] or calling her at (229) 883-4844. The venue is located at 319 Osprey Ridge Court.