‘Midsummer’s Evening of Hope’ to help fight cancer

BLAKELY– To help continue the work against cancer, and in partnership with the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia (A Division of Horizons Community Solutions), Primary Care of Southwest Georgia Inc. will hold its third annual “A Midsummer’s Evening of Hope in Early County” on June 21.

The event will take place at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 397 College St., from 6-9 p.m., with doors opening at 5 p.m. to begin silent auction item viewing and bidding.

Cancer is frightening and it touches nearly everyone in some way. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United State, exceeded only by heart disease. Statistics show one in every four deaths in the United States is due to cancer. Although the CDC says rates are steadily decreasing in Georgia, oncologists agree that the fight must continue.

Primary Care of Southwest Georgia is a federally qualified health center. For more than 12 years, PCSG has provided high-quality, affordable primary and preventive care for the people of the region, including low-income and medically underserved individuals. Preventing and controlling cancer is a vital part of what PCSG does.

The 2018 event will include a presentation by guest speaker, Angie Cleveland, a breast cancer survivor and Blakely resident. Cleveland has been a cosmetologist for 30 years and owns Options Styling Salon. She and her husband Jeff have four children — Stephanie, Jesse, Gage, and Tucker — and she is expecting her first grandbaby in October.

Cleveland was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in September of 2009 and is now cancer-free after having a mastectomy, eight chemo treatments, and 35 radiation treatments. She has also undergone several reconstructive surgeries. She said she believes in living each day to the fullest, and enjoying life. She is an advocate for breast cancer awareness.

A Midsummer’s Evening of Hope in Early County is held annually to help raise critical funds to increase cancer screenings for Early County residents. Unlike national cancer organizations, all funds raised will stay in the community to help local families, friends, neighbors and co-workers. Specifically, the proceeds from this event will be used only for men and women who are patients of Early County primary care providers.

Sponsorship opportunities include, but are not limited to, business sponsorships, individual sponsorships, financial donations, silent auction items, live auction items, and the ability to purchase group tickets for the auction and dinner.

Tickets are $20 per person and must be purchased in advance. They will go on sale May 1. Tickets will be available at Primary Care of Southwest Georgia, 360 College St., and LifeBrite Community Hospital of Early.

For more information, contact Brooks Carter at (229) 723-2660; ext. 7139 or [email protected].

To learn more about the Cancer Coalition, visit www.horizonscommunity.org. The Events and Fundraisers tab includes information about the Early County event.