SVMC's Breast Cancer Awareness 'Flamingle' Event Full of Color, Hope

A very special celebration raising Breast Cancer Awareness was held at Sierra View Medical Center (SVMC) Thursday evening with food vendors, information booths, games and plenty of prizes.

Many men and women dressed in pink all walked through the various booths at the event. Vendors and educational tables were right in the entrance welcoming all, like the Breastfeeding Resource Center, Imaging Services, Roger S. Good Cancer Treatment Center, Color Street and local LuLaRoe fashion retailers.

In addition, a representative from Canyon Oaks Foot and Ankle was in attendance.

The Tulare Pink Heels Inc. was also present to show their support and awareness for cancer survivors with Maddie, their bright pink fire engine.

LuLaRoe was displaying her unique inventory of pink apparels, which caught Kathleen Bradford’s attention.

“I’m a breast cancer survivor,” said Bradford as she was talking to her nurse that does mammograms. “She told me that everything looked good and cured.”

Bradford has been a Porterville resident for more than 30 years, and is a cancer-free survivor since June 2016.

“It was a very tough experience,” added Bradford. “My daughter had breast cancer three times, and passed away Nov. 2, 2016. I was going through with my cancer while my daughter had it too. My mother and sister had it also.”

Overall, Bradford said she enjoyed the cancer awareness event and was grateful to see lots of pink in support.

Crystal Davis, director of the Cancer Treatment Center welcomed everyone to the event, and afterward members of the Porterville Police Department (PPD) made their way to the front of the audience to present a very special award to SVMC’s Roger S. Good Cancer Treatment Center.

Through the month of October, PPD has been part of the Pink Patch Project nationwide, engaging with the community to increase cancer awareness. Along with the Pink Patch Project, PPD held a fundraiser selling pink PPD patches, each for $10. Eric Kroutil, PPD Chief of Police said they sold 500 pink patches during this month within the first few days, and were able to meet their goal of $5,000.

With a big check in hand, members of the PPD along with Chief Kroutil, presented a $5,000 donation to the Roger S. Good Cancer Center.

The event continued with a special guest speaker Kim Gisler, who shared her testimony as a cancer survivor.

“Everyone you meet might be fighting a battle that you know nothing about. We find that every day might not be a good day, but we need to find something good in every day,” said Gisler who was accompanied by her family sitting in the audience. “Don’t take anything for granted.”

Gisler shared her story to all, and motivated people despite hardships they might be going through.

Davis said, “If I have learned one thing working at the cancer center, it’s that cancer survivors have the heart of a warrior.”

Davis announced the winners of their Pink in the District door decorating contest, which drew many local business participants.

External business winners from the City of Porterville were PPD for ‘Best Recognition of the Cause,’ Full House Property Management & Home Realty and Land Co. for ‘Best Decorated,’ and the City of Porterville Community Development and Public Works Dept. for ‘Most Original.’ Each business received a pink award.

For the internal Sierra View Departments, the marketing team was awarded for the ‘Best Recognition of the Cause,’ the Critical Care (ICU/Telementry) won for ‘Best Decorated,’ and the Community Wellness Center won for ‘Most Original.’