For the fourth year in a row, the Pearl River County Hospital and Nursing Home will host a breast cancer awareness walk and health fair to raise funds for the National Cancer Society and local victims of the disease.

Jo Lynn Davis, community outreach coordinator at the hospital, said it is important for everybody to be aware of breast cancer and how important it is to detect early on.

“We want the community to be aware of the dangers of breast cancer and the benefits of early detection,” Davis said. “It’s commonly misunderstood that only women are vulnerable to breast cancer, but in fact, men can also be affected by it.”

For the past four Octobers, Davis has strived to increase the goal. This year’s objective is to raise $10,000. Unlike previous years, most of the funds raised this year will benefit local families; 30 percent will go to the National Cancer Society and 70 percent will be donated to local families affected by breast cancer.

During the health fair, there will be many activities for adults and children to enjoy, including games, a fun jumper, food vendors, retail vendors offering arts and crafts and designer jewelry, live entertainment, a costume contest for all ages, and a silent auction. Each booth will be decorated for Halloween and allow children to trick-or-treat throughout the event.

Also, breast cancer survivors will be recognized, and at the end of the event, balloons will be released into the sky in honor of the victims of the disease. Attendees can also receive blood pressure, blood sugar and vision screenings.

“It’s a really fun day and full of so many things to do,” Davis said. “You could spend the whole day out here with your family and enjoy the entertainment.”

The fair will be held Saturday, Oct. 22, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the front lawn of the Pearl River County Hospital and Nursing Home on the corner of Highway 11 and West Moody Street. Individual walker registration is $25—which includes a T-shirt—however, the event is free to attend. Donations are welcome.

Sponsors for this event donated money to the cause. Hardee’s of Poplarville is a platinum level partner, donating $1,000; Poplarville Dental Clinic, the PRC Board of Supervisors and BankPlus are gold level partners, donating $500 each; PRCC Wellness Center, Boone’s Pharmacy, Dr. Tara Rouse, Sonic of Poplarville, White Funeral Home, Pot Licker’s Catering, funjumpers.com, Rotary Club of Poplarville and Uniforms by Bales donated $250 each; and O’Neal’s Restaurant, Knight’s ACE Hardware, ReSteel Express, Inc., Hall’s Service Station, First National Bank of Poplarville and Deb’s Pizza all donated $100 each.