TIFTON — In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Tift Regional Health System (TRHS) is holding free community events in Adel, Tifton and Ashburn.

 “About one-in-eight women will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime,” said Chris Efaw, TRHS vice president of outreach and development.  “These functions are designed to help empower women in the fight against this invasive disease.”

 Cook Medical Center, a campus of TRHS, will be holding its annual Day for Divas event at Cook Middle School on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon.

This health fair for women includes free medical screenings, a fashion show with cancer survivors, hand-and-arm massages, a complimentary meal, giveaways, information booths and a breast cancer seminar with Dr. Shannon Price with Affinity Physicians for Women (APFW).

 Price is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist.  Cook Middle School is located in Sparks at 1601 N. Elm Street.   APFW is a member of Tift Regional Physician Group.

 As part of the APFW Live Out Loud Series, nurse practitioner Brooke Robbins, FNP-C will be providing a free breast cancer lunch-and-learn lecture titled “What Every Women Should Know About Breast Cancer” on Thursday, Oct. 25, noon to  1 p.m., at the Tift Regional Community Events Center in Tifton. This seminar includes a complimentary meal.  

Robbins, an advanced practice provider specializing in women’s health, recently joined APFW and works alongside Dr. Price in providing outpatient pregnancy management, gynecologic care and health and wellness education.  

The Tift Regional Community Events Center is located in Tifton at 1657 S. Carpenter Road, attached to the Tiftarea YMCA.

 TRHS and Ashburn Primary Care, a member of Tift Regional Physician Group, has teamed with South Georgia Banking Company and the Turner County Health Department to offer a breast cancer lunch-and-learn lecture with Dr. Tracy Nolan on Wednesday, Oct. 31, noon to 1 p.m, at First Baptist Church in Ashburn.  

 Nolan is Tift Regional’s first female general surgeon.  Board certified in general surgery, Nolan practices with South Georgia Surgical in Tifton, a member of Tift Regional Physician Group.   First Baptist Church is located in Ashburn at 302 McLendon St.. Nolan’s presentation is also titled “What Every Woman Should Know About Breast Cancer” and includes a complimentary meal.

 “We encourage women to bring their mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, niece or friend to any of these functions,” said Efaw. “Early detection saves lives and we want to help raise the level of breast cancer awareness in our community.”

 All events are free, but space is limited and registration is requested.  Register at the calendar of events at www.tiftregional.com or call 229-353-6316.  For more information on these functions, visit www.tiftregional.com, send an email to info@tifregional.com or call 229-353-6318.