Looking for something to do around Asheville that the whole family will enjoy? We’ve found some family-friendly events that are sure to be a blast!

Aug 31 – Sept 3. – NC Apple Festival
Cost: FREE
The annual Labor Day festival that takes place in Downtown Hendersonville is in its 66th year. Enjoy 4 days of fun with freshly picked apples, arts & crafts and free entertainment. In addition, there is a Family Fun Zone full of rides and inflatables so fun your kids might not want to leave!

Click here for more info.

Sept. 1 Wild Things Weekend at Pack Place
Cost: $5 donation – all proceeds go to support Wild South’s wildlife education initiatives
Wild Things Weekend is a one of a kind event featuring live animal shows, award winning wildlife films, and exhibits from a wide rang of outdoor businesses, environmental educators and conservation groups from across WNC.

More info from the Mountain Xpress.

Sept. 7th-16 – North Carolina Mountain State Fair
Cost: Varies
Located at the WNC Ag Center just off Airport Rd, the Mountain State Fair offers a little bit for everyone. Patrons can catch some live music, take in a pig race, or go for a spin on one of the many rides. Be sure to take advantage of their Student Day on Sept. 7 when students 12th grade and under get in free before 6 p.m.

Click here for more info.

Sept 22 – Andrew’s Geyser 100th Anniversary/Railroad Day
Cost: Free
This man-made geyser located in Old Fort celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year with a dedication ceremony. Just down the street, Railroad Day will celebrate with children’s miniature train rides, model railroad vendors with displays storytellers and  plus local musicians playing in Bradley Park.

Click here for more info. 

Ongoing-  The Health Adventure – Healthier Even After…
Cost: Adults- $9.50, Children- $6.50
The Health Adventure is currently playing host the traveling exhibit Healthier Ever After, an interactive fairytale forest. Children make their way through the make-believe forest overcoming obstacles while exercising their bodies and learning about nutrition in a fun way.

The Health Adventure is open Mon-Sat from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday from 12:30 p.m.-6 p.m.

Click here for more info.

Breast cancer affects you, your family and your friends. Many survivors and current patients take solace in knowing they aren’t alone in their fight and find comfort in support groups. There are several groups in the Asheville area that meet on a regular basis, find the one that is best for you.

Park Ridge Health – Breast Cancer Survivors and Friends Support Group

First Monday of every month
Call Deborah Gentry at 828-650-2790 or click here for more info.
Free and open to public

Breast Cancer Support, Sisterhood of Survivors 

Last Thursday of every month at noon
Community Room at Carolina Community Bank
Brevard
Call 828-884-2257 for more information.

Beauty through Cancer

Variety of events and support groups
828-252-8558
131 McDowell St Suite 202
Asheville NC 28801
Click here for more info

In Good Company 

Call 828-253-4262 for more information and meeting locations.

Four Seasons Breast Cancer Survivors

828-884-5895
Pardee Health Education Center at Blue Ridge Mall
Hendersonville, NC    28792

Cancer Patients Support Program

Meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:30pm
Mission Breast Program Conference
Second Floor of Asheville imaging,
534 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
For more information, call 828-221-2044.
This group is for any cancer patient.

We had a great time at Zumba in the Park this past Saturday. Check out some photos of the event below!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking to get more involved in the local community? There is an abundance of volunteer opportunities in the Asheville area. Here are five organizations with family-friendly volunteer opportunities.

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers are at the heart of Habitat for Humanity. There is a wide rage of opportunities for volunteers aged 16 and older including new home construction, deconstruction, home repair, the ReStore and administrative office. Working along side Habitat partner families, volunteers will help to build safe and affordable houses for families living in inadequate housing. For more information: 251-5702 or brusso@ashevillehabitat.org

Asheville Humane Society 

The Asheville Humane Society relies on animal lovers to help with their lifesaving programs. Their volunteer program outlines an array of opportunities from helping with adoption counseling to socializing kitties and matches volunteers based on their skills and interests. Volunteers will find a friendly staff, appropriate training and animals to provide unconditional love every step of the way. To volunteer, persons must be 18 years of age or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For more information: 828-253-6807.

 

Hands On Asheville-Buncombe
Hands on Asheville-Buncombe is a program of United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County whose mission is to bring people together to strengthen the Asheville community through meaningful volunteer action.  The program connects individuals, families, and groups of all types to meaningful volunteer projects in our community by partnering with over 150 local nonprofits. Hands On’s online searchable database makes it easy for anyone to find the perfect volunteer opportunity. For more information: 828-255-0696

RiverLink
RiverLink is a regional non-profit spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to live, work and play. They have an abundant amount of opportunities in which to get involved. They rely on the help of volunteers and gratefully appreciate the talent, skills, and interests that our volunteers bring to the table. Opportunities include river clean-up, trail maintenance, and office assistance. For more information: (828) 252-8474 ext. 11 volunteer@riverlink.org

MANNA FoodBank

MANNA FoodBank provides food to over 347 member agencies throughout Western North Carolina, serving 9,000 meals every day of the year. The food volunteers help select, sort, and pack will provide meals for people who seek emergency food assistance throughout Western North Carolina. Volunteer work is open to all ages and ability levels. For more information: 828-299-3663

For a list of even more opportunities, check out the volunteer guide at http://www.asheville.com.

 

Image credit [Nashville First Baptist]

To help raise awareness for early detection, we’ve partnered with several local groups to give away your choice of 3 prizes! You have the chance to win 2 Biltmore Season Passes, $180 Spa Package or an Amazon Kindle Fire. Join in the fun for free by visiting our Facebook Page. The contest ends July 26, so enter now!

Did you know that regular exercise reduces your risk of developing breast cancer? Mark your calendars because the Asheville Breast Center is working with local Zumba instructors to host an outdoor, family-friendly Zumba event to promote early detection for breast cancer screenings. Our local instructors include Christine Hernandez-Cuenco from Christine’s Cardio Fitness and Angela Arellano from The Rush. You don’t need to have any experience to have a great time.

When/Where/Time:

Saturday, July 21

2:00-4:00pm

Pritchard Park in Downtown Asheville

RSVP on Facebook!

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The uncertainty and even fear associated with breast cancer and breast screening leads many women to seek out advice from those who have already undergone mammograms or cancer therapy. Some others may not make those connections, not knowing how to reach out to groups and individuals that can help ease concerns and answer questions.

There is a burgeoning online community of breast cancer survivors who are connecting on chat rooms and blogs to share stories, offer support and give encouragement to both women who have been diagnosed with cancer and those who are hesitant to get screened.

Breastcancer.org provides two chat rooms in which visitors can register and take part in a host of discussions related to breast cancer.

Healingwell.com hosts both guest columns and a forum page that covers literally thousands of topics surrounding breast cancer. Guests can post their own questions and get answers from men and women who have experience with dealing with breast cancer and cancer treatment.

Everydayhealth.com publishes a regular blog called “Life with Breast Cancer” that offers thoughts on the social impact of breast cancer and its portrayal in culture as well as medical tips.

Mammotives.wordpress.com is a blog hosted by the American Cancer Society with an easy to use comment and question system and is targeted specifically at women with questions about breast cancer screening, awareness, and the importance of mammograms. Experts are on hand to provide answers.

Thanks to these sites and many more like them, there are plenty of ways to make connections and ask questions about breast cancer and mammograms. A simple search online will turn up plenty of options. There is no longer any reason to feel left out in the cold.

For more stories, or to share your own visit us at www.ashevillebreastcenter.com

Breast cancer awareness comes from all kinds of sources: 5K run/walks, parades, sports team rallies, health care organization drives, even groups of friends hosting “mammogram and martini parties.”

A lot of work has gone into promoting October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but there are year-round opportunities for keeping a spotlight on breast cancer awareness.

Spreading the word about the benefits of screening makes a big difference in the fight against breast cancer. Even women who know the importance of early detection can use a reminder now and then. That’s why communities are taking steps to rally people to the cause. Large events put the issue into the media spotlight while individuals and organizations create new ways to remind women about the importance of getting screened for breast cancer.

Studies indicate that a regular reminder program saves lives. Women who have a system in place to remind them to get screened are 1.5 times more likely to have a mammogram that those who don’t.

Organizations like the American Cancer Society have developed email auto-reminders that send a message to your inbox and aldo allows you to schedule reminders for friends and loved ones.

Having a network of friends who call or email one another can be a big help in making time for a screening. Some women have taken the initiative themselves, coming up with their own creative online campaigns and using social media tools like Facebook and Twitter to get the message out to their followers and friends.

Not into the virtual social scene? Take advantage of Asheville Breast Center’s late appointments and get together with friends face to face and have a mammogram party followed by a ladies night out. Going as a group boosts motivation and eases apprehension. Parties like these make a breast screen seem less like a chore, lightens the mood and gets friends together.

Supporting friends and family means helping to keep them healthy. Encourage them to join the Asheville Breast Center community schedule their appointment through out Facebook page.  Whatever method works best for you, show support by reminding those around you to get a regular mammogram.

Additional Resources:

Mammogram Reminder

“Get Your Squeeze On!” How One Woman Is Spreading Awareness about Mammograms

Ways To Spread Cancer Awareness

[Image Credit: Voices for our Planet]

There are a lot of reasons why women say they avoid or delay getting a recommended regular mammogram. These include being too busy, misconceptions about the screening process, or even fear of a diagnosis. But regular screening provides peace of mind and may mean a better chance of surviving cancer.

 

Here are some of the main excuses women use when avoiding a mammogram, followed by some facts we hope will make it easier to make the choice to get a regular mammogram.

 

Excuse: I’m not old enough to need a mammogram

 

The American Cancer Society recommends that women 40 and older get an annual breast screen and that women in their 20s and 30s have a clinical exam every three years.

 

Excuse: I have no family history of breast cancer

 

While a family history of breast cancer does increase the chances of developing cancer, it is not the only factor and the majority of breast cancer patients have no family history of the disease.

 

Excuse: I’m too busy

 

A mammogram takes a little more than 15 to 20 minutes, and the Asheville Breast Center has three convenient  locations in Downtown Asheville, South Asheville, and Clyde to make it easier for patients to visit.

 

Excuse: Mammograms hurt

 

While there is some discomfort associated with undergoing a breast scan, the process lasts only a few minutes.

 

Excuse: If I don’t get tested, I can’t have a bad diagnosis

 

Its true that detection of breast cancer is scary, but early detection offers the best chance of treatment and surviving breast cancer, and mammograms offer the best chance of an early diagnosis.

 

Excuse: I don’t have any symptoms

 

Early detection technology like a mammogram can indicate a cancerous growth well before it is detectable by a self-exam or shows other symptoms. And that’s a good thing: it offers the best chance for treatment.

 

Excuse: I am anxious, afraid or embarrassed to get a mammogram

It is understandable to feel strange about going through a mammogram, but the staff at the Asheville Breast Center will do everything it can to make the experience as easy and comfortable as possible.

 

Excuse: I can’t afford a mammogram

 

There are several options available that provide assistance to people who cannot afford a mammogram, and a lot of information is online. Organizations like the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen for the cure offer ways for women without the resources for a mammogram to get screened.

 

Mammograms can detect cancer long before symptoms are displayed and early detection of breast cancer offers the best chance for treatment and survival. No more excuses.

 

Schedule your mammogram today.

 

Additional Resources

 

Breast Cancer: 31 Myths & Truths

 

Four Excuses Women Use

 

Everyday Health : You Don’t Have a Good Reason To Avoid a Mammogram

 

Image Credit: Troy Brown

 

Are you a female? Then you should be aware of breast cancer screening options. After all, the American Cancer Society lists being a woman as the highest risk factor for developing breast cancer. While breast cancer has been found in men, women are 100 times more likely than men to develop the disease, and 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer. How often you should get screened for early detection depends on how high a risk you have for breast cancer. Risk factors may be involuntary, such as genetics and age (or gender, as we saw above), or they may be voluntary, such as lifestyle choices. All of this information helps determine the risk for breast cancer and the best plan for breast cancer screening.

 

In recent years, there has been much discussion about the best age to begin mammogram screening. The American Cancer Society has set a baseline recommendation of yearly mammograms for women age 40 and older, with screenings continuing each year as long as the patient is in good health. ACS also recommends a clinical breast exam every three years for women in their 20’s and 30’s. Prior to that, self-examination is recommended.

 

But there are also risk factors that may change the type and frequency of screenings. In 2011, the ACS released guidelines that break down many of the conditions that increase a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer. They include:

 

• Aging. The risk of developing breast cancer increases as we get older

 

• Genetics. Hereditary factors are thought to cause between 5% and 10% of breast cancer cases, while women with a close family member who has had breast cancer have a higher risk of developing it themselves.

 

• Personal history of breast cancer. A woman who has had cancer in one breast is three to four times more likely to develop it in the other breast.

 

• Hormone therapy after menopause.

 

• Alcohol use. Having more than two to five drinks per day increase the chances of developing breast cancer by 50%.

 

• Obesity. Especially after menopause, obesity may raise estrogen levels in the body and increase the chances of developing breast cancer.

 

The ACS recommends that women at a high risk (defined as 20% lifetime risk as determined by a doctor) should get both a mammogram and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan every year. To see a PDF of risk factors and guidelines by the American Cancer Society, click here.

 

Schedule an appointment for your annual mammogram with Asheville Breast Center.

 

 Additional Resources:

 

Mammography Saves Lives 

 

 Breast Cancer: Early Detection

 

 Mayo Clinic: Risk Factors for Breast Cancer