Puttin’ on the Pink gearing up for another year of helping others

Published 7:00 am Friday, September 22, 2017

The annual Puttin’ on the Pink gala is set to take place on Oct. 7, which is a local event that raises funds to help provide mammograms and other breast cancer treatment to those in need.

Puttin’ on the Pink President Loren Fortenberry said the event will take place that day from 6 to 10 p.m. and will feature live music by Trent Ladner, dinner and complimentary drinks with the purchase of each ticket. Tickets are on sale now for $35 a piece, and can be found at the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce or Highland Community Hospital. Fortenberry said T-shirts are also on sale for $15 at Highland. The purchase of two shirts and two tickets is enough to fund a mammogram.

Fortenberry said the organization hopes to raise $30,000 this year.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

The evening will be held at the Barn at Sarah Bella, located at 48 Flat Top Rd.

A silent auction will offer items such as Yeti Coolers, Yeti Bags and a variety of other items from local businesses.

Door prizes will be given away, consisting of donations from local businesses, Fortenberry said.

During the evening of events, breast cancer survivors and fighters will be recognized and honored, Fortenberry said.

This year’s guest speaker will be Brittney Creel, wife of Poplarville Mayor Rossie Creel. This year’s theme is HOPE, which stands for Help, Outreach, Prevention and Education.

This annual event is a fundraiser to generate revenue that is used to provide mammograms to Pearl River County residents who can’t afford the procedure. Each year the organization is able to provide about 200 screenings to local women. This year, the organization will open up access to the service to women who also work in Pearl River County.  Qualifying participants may also receive a discount off the percentage of the cost for diagnostic mammograms, a biopsy and ultra sound.  Fortenberry said the program relies on referrals from physicians and clinic staff to find women who would benefit the most from the program. The mammograms are provided through a voucher program, which is funded by the donations and ticket sales of the gala.

For more information about Puttin’ on the Pink, call Abbie Turnage at 601-358-9585.