Tuesday, Oct. 21 marked a brisk afternoon in downtown Maryville. People gathered along the sidewalk across from the Courthouse Square, browsing vendors and chatting with neighbors at the annual 'For the Girls' event, hosted to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month and allow women to book mammograms and discuss the disease. This is the fourth year the event has been held.
A selection of local vendors attended, showing their support. Stephanie Campbell Yount, owner of Haven Coffee and Goods and host of ‘For the Girls,’ said this event highlights the struggles women go through.
“Because it's this month, we get to shine a spotlight on the prevention of breast cancer and then support those who are fighting the cancer,” Campbell Yount said. “It's a really great opportunity to come together and just celebrate the month and celebrate the spirit of women that have survived and are fighting now.”
Campbell Yount began producing the event after her best friend’s sister died following a battle with breast cancer. The loss inspired Campbell Yount to organize an event with her friends and Mosaic Medical Center - Maryville to spread awareness and provide a way for women to book mammograms on site.
Since then, ‘For the Girls’ has become a recurring series each year, continually bringing in more vendors and community involvement. Campbell Yount said this event pushes more women to schedule their mammograms.
“Every year, we usually book about 50 mammograms,” said Campbell Yount. “Of course, we'd love to book more than that, but we get the opportunity to prevent breast cancer in 50 women in our community, and that feels really great.”
Doctors recommend women begin screenings at age 40. According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will get the disease in their lifetimes.
