ATLANTA – State Representative Karen Bennett (D-Stone Mountain) recently hosted the 2nd Annual Emma B. Allen Pink Sash Parade to honor breast cancer survivors and promote women’s health in Lithonia.
“I cannot think of a better way to raise community awareness, while at the same time celebrating the courage of the survivors,” said Rep. Bennett. “Through increased awareness and medical advancements, we hope to one day make breast cancer diagnosis a thing of the past.”
The 2nd Annual Emma B. Allen Pink Sash Parade took place on October 18, 2015, at New Bethel A.M.E. Church in Lithonia. The event began with a reception where survivors were pinned with pink sashes to highlight their courage in defeating cancer. Celeste Smalls Sumpter of New Bethel A.M.E. delivered the inspirational message before survivors and congregation members took part in the Pink Sash Parade to raise awareness for breast cancer and women’s health.
The Emma B. Allen Pink Sash Parade was named in memory of Rep. Bennett’s grandmother, who died from breast cancer in the 1960s, just a few weeks after being diagnosed.
“Today, we know that early detection saves lives, and I believe my grandmother would have lived a much longer life had the same awareness and detection campaign, along with today’s technology, existed when she was alive,” said Rep. Bennett. “I hope this event encourages others to take advantage of early screening. It is all about saving lives.”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease. For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please click here.
Representative Karen Bennett represents the citizens of Districts 94, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves on the Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, and Regulated Industries committees.
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