Pink Up Cape campaign takes aim at breast cancer

If enthusiasm can help win the war against breast cancer, an important battle may have been fought Tuesday night in Cape Girardeau.

Barbecue was served to an estimated 700 people in the parking garage outside Saint Francis Medical Center Cancer Institute and about 1,200 people attended the fourth annual Pink Up Cape Kickoff, where Saint Francis president and CEO Steven Bjelich said the drive "has become a movement in our region."

Noting it coincides with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Bjelich said: "Pink Up Cape and its sister program, Dig for Life, have provided more than 2,000 free mammograms to area women in need.

"Cancer touches many lives, and events like this help to continue the fight."

Before the 40-member Community Choir took the stage about 7:20 p.m., Saint Francis Foundation director Linda Decker said 105 businesses in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Poplar Bluff, Mo., Scott City, Perryville "and beyond will have feather flags, host events, decorate their lobbies and fund-raise."

"This partnership has helped foster excitement throughout the region with 30 grade schools and high schools hosting Pink Out Nights and helping raise funds for Dig for Life," Decker said. "This is a movement that's making a difference."

She said Cotner Electric and the Missouri Department of Transportation will keep pink lights on the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge during the entire month of October, and The Printing Co. provided the fireworks show Tuesday night.

Dexter, Mo., country singer Candy Coburn sang a song of her own composition, "Pink Warrior."

St. Francis spokeswoman Emily Sikes had said more than $90,000 was raised last year and that speakers for a sold-out Oct. 2 luncheon at Isle Casino will include Rep. Kathy Swan, area Dig for Life originator Cindy Gannon and Saint Francis genetic counselor Melanie Baxter.

Sikes said items are being sold online by the Pink Up Cape store at pinkupcape.com.

Amy Dewrock, a Liberty Utilities spokeswoman from Jackson, said her company will have a 4 p.m. Oct. 4 Pink Up Tailgate fundraiser in its parking lot.

"We care about breast cancer awareness because it directly affects our customers and employees," Dewrock said.

Tammi Asmus of Oran, Mo., doesn't work with breast cancer victims as a registered nurse in Saint Francis' pediatric office, but she has seen family members and friends suffer its effects.

"Age doesn't matter," Asmus said. "A lot of young women get breast cancer, and that affects my patients' families."

Rhonda Whitcomb, a certified nurse's assistant at Chateau Girardeau and a Community Choir member, expressed hope the money raised makes a difference. "Cancer kills, and it will be beautiful if we can detect it, find a way to help people stop suffering and save a lot of lives," Whitcomb said.

Directed by Brian Crisman, the Community Choir featured singers and musicians from Lynwood Baptist Church, Second Missionary Baptist Church, Greater Dimensions Church of God in Christ, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and the House of Prayer.