ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The Orangeburg Chapter of the Links is sending a strong visual message in the City of Orangeburg on the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
"Breast cancer touches almost every family that has been affected by it," said Candace Berry-Vaughn, Member of the Orangeburg Chapter of the Links.
The member of the volunteer service organization made up of women of color says the organization has picked back up the initiative they started in 2019 in turning the town pink.
"When COVID hit, it shut everybody down, but we did not want to lose the importance of breast cancer awareness," said Berry-Vaughn. "We started back up this year, and we have 30 businesses around town supporting us this year. When you drive around downtown, it's pink!"
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The Mabrey Cancer Center for Cancer Care is one example of a building showing off its pink lights.
This year, the Links presented the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg a check for more than $1,680 to sponsor ten women to get mammograms. RMC's CEO and President David Southerland says the money will help a few eligible women.
The hospital regularly sees high cases of women in the county with breast cancer.
"The fact that we received this donation, and we can take the money to give it to people who don't have the resources to get mammographies on a timely basis is significant," Southerland said.
"Our goal and hopes are that we can partner with the organization moving forward to raise some more money and work on identifying women in need or underinsured to get their mammogram," explained Berry-Vaughn.