Several members of the 2012 Pearl River County Partners in Leadership class along with Highland Community Hospital are hosting the First Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Gala at the Salem House, on October 22 at 7 p.m.

Phyllis Spiers, Pearl River County Partners in Leadership Team Leader for the project says, “Just as we have a team member that has had her own personal battle with breast cancer, many of us have been affected in some way with this issue. As a team, we all took it very personally and wanted to make a difference in the community.

Abbie Turnage, R.T. (R)(M), of Highland Community Hospital Mammography Department, says, “We are excited to have the Leadership Class contributing to this event. This will mean so much to the women in the community and it means a lot to Highland to be able to play such a role in this effort to raise awareness.

“For those that purchase tickets, there will be a chance to dress up as the event is semi-formal and enjoy a night full of music, dinner, door prizes, and a silent auction. This will also be an opportunity to give a tax deductible donation of which seventy-five percent will come right back into our community and make a difference right here, at home.”

If someone would like to be a sponsor for the event by donations of either cash or items for the silent auction at the event, they should contact Abbie Turnage at 601-749-3196.

Donations can also be made online by visiting http://www.info-komen.org, and donating to Team #10542308 under the Central Mississippi Steel Magnolias.

All donations can be mailed to Highland Community Hospital, (Imaging Department), 801 Goodyear Blvd., Picayune, MS. 39466.

Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased by either calling 601-749-3169 or by e-mailing jmalley@highlandch.com.