Program to host survivor celebration, film screening

6 years ago

CARIBOU, Maine — Cary Medical Center’s Pink Aroostook and Healthy You programs are once again partnering to rally Aroostook communities to “Think BEYOND Pink” at a free breast cancer survivor celebration and film screening of the documentary “Pink Ribbons, Inc.”

The screening event, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, will be held in the Chan Center at Cary Medical Center on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Prior to the film’s viewing, a survivor celebration will recognize everyone in attendance who is living with a breast cancer diagnosis, whether current or in the past. Each preregistered survivor will receive a special gift.

The 1-1/2-hour “Pink Ribbons, Inc.” by Lea Pool reveals how the fight against breast cancer has led to financial windfalls for certain corporations. The film also shines a much-needed spotlight on how companies and organizations claiming to care about breast cancer by promoting pink ribbon products are at the same time producing, manufacturing and/or selling products that are linked to the disease.

“When I watched this film for the first time about six years ago, it made me angry. Learning how breast cancer ‘awareness’ was being exploited to profit corporations and not actually doing much good toward ending the disease or helping patients was appalling,” said Pink Aroostook program director, Bethany Zell.

Since then, she’s made this message part of her advocacy platform and now encourages everyone she talks to about breast cancer to “Think BEYOND Pink.”

“I hope that people will come watch the film. It is so empowering. We will also have resources available and additional information for attendees to learn how they can affect real change and help in the fight to end breast cancer,” continued Zell. There will also be an opportunity for discussion following the film.

The event is free but preregistration is required by contacting Zell at 498-1361 or bzell@carymed.org.