HERMISTON, Ore.-October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and several events and activities are planned around the region.
Started in 1985 as a week-long event by the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has evolved in support of the 2.3 million women worldwide affected by breast cancer annually.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month helps raise awareness about the risks of breast cancer, promotes the value of screening and early detection, raises money for research and treatment, and provides support for patients and survivors.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Awareness Month and other awareness campaigns have helped reduce breast cancer deaths in the United States by 44 percent since 1989.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month events
Good Shepherd Health Care System (GSHCS) is the title sponsor of the Tri-Cities Women’s Expo, September 26-27 at the HAPO Center in Pasco, and will participate in other Breast Cancer Awareness Month events throughout October in partnership with the Good Shepherd Community Health Foundation.
- Tri-Cities Women’s Expo, September 26-27: GSHCS will be offering free lipid panels and A1C screenings, as well as health resources for women at the event that runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 26, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the 27th. Tickets are $7 at the door and good for both days.
- Dig Pink Volleyball Game, October 16: Wear pink and help raise breast cancer awareness as Hermiston High School Varsity Volleyball takes on Walla Walla. The match starts at 7 p.m.
- Breast Cancer Awareness Night, October 24: The Hermiston student body will be decked out in pink in support of breast cancer awareness as the Hermiston High School Varsity Football team takes on Pasco on Senior Night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Good Shepherd Cancer Center
“From its launch in 2019 to today, the Good Shepherd Cancer Center has become a cornerstone of care for our region,” said Art Mathisen, GSHCS CEO. “Our mission remains clear: to ensure families in our community have access to up-to-date, high-quality cancer care without having to travel far from home.”
The Cancer Center moved into a modern, dedicated space in the Good Shepherd Medical Plaza located at 620 NW 11th Street, Suite M-102, in 2024. The new location has improved access to services for patients, including IV and oral chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, along with access to advanced treatment clinical trials and comprehensive supportive care.
Board-certified physicians, Dr. Cannon Milani and Dr. Farnoush Abar, joined the Good Shepherd Cancer Center in 2025, and hours have been expanded to include select Saturday appointments.
“Asking about and understanding your family’s cancer history is one of the most effective ways to take charge of your health,” said Dr. Abar. “We can work together to review your history and decide whether genetic testing or earlier screening could benefit you. Early action makes a difference, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.”
More information on the Good Shepherd Cancer Center is available online or by calling 541.667.3615.
