WATERBURY, Conn. -- Waterbury will celebrate a citywide Pink Out on Thursday, October 26th! Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation has once again partnered with the City of Waterbury to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness. Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary, Saint Mary’s Hospital President, Kim Kalajainen and special guest Joe Cappello will address organizers and volunteers from the Waterbury Police and Fire Departments as well as the Education Department, area students and others at 11:00 a.m. at Waterbury City Hall.
Joe Cappello is Executive Director and co-founder of Are You Dense. He is the husband of the organization’s founder, Nancy Cappello, who passed from treatment related bone marrow cancer in 2018. Are You Dense was founded in 2004 to raise awareness about the high risk of breast cancer for women with dense breast tissue. Joe and Nancy championed the first in the nation breast density inform law in the State of Connecticut. There are now 38 states that have breast density legislation.
Several years ago, the Waterbury Fire and Police Departments began recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month by designing, printing and selling t-shirts to support local Breast Cancer causes, including Saint Mary’s Breast Screening Fund. This initiative has evolved into a citywide campaign of awareness and fundraising. We also thank our generous partners Naugatuck Valley Radiology, Ion Bank, Thomaston Savings Bank, as well as Carmody Torrance Sandak Hennessy, LLP., Ralph Carpinella – Carpin Manufacturing, Studio Q Architecture, Pony Express, Post University and O & G Industries for their enthusiastic support of this very worthy cause.
One hundred percent of the funds garnered through Pink Out go directly into the Foundation’s Breast Screening Fund. Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation funds breast-screening tests for hundreds of women annually in the Greater Waterbury area who otherwise may not have access to these procedures. Screenings are available to patients through physicians or clinical referrals. As part of their commitment to breast health, in addition to Saint Mary’s Center for Breast Imaging, our breast surgeons utilize the latest technologies in breast cancer treatment including the Mozart 3D specimen tomosynthesis imaging system to help them better visualize tumors during lumpectomy procedures. Most recently, Saint Mary’s attained a non-radioactive, dual-tracer breast cancer staging technology, called Magtrace. It’s a simple iron oxide-based magnetic solution designed to simplify the staging of breast cancer surgery.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast screenings can improve outcomes as early detection reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer and can lead to a greater range of treatment options and lower health care costs.
Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation is asking friends and followers to connect with us on social media by using the #pinkoutstmarys. Keep tabs on several community initiatives throughout the month by following our Facebook page and on Instagram and X at @SaintMarysCT.