October 3, 2016
West Columbia, S.C. – Lexington Medical Center will host its annual Women’s Night Out on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in downtown Columbia with keynote speaker Heidi Kramer, RD, LDN talking about the importance of nutrition during cancer care. With more than 900 people attending, the event will recognize October as breast cancer awareness month and honor cancer survivors and their caregivers.
Beginning at 5:00 p.m., there will be a silent auction and physician exhibit. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. with a fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors, dinner and the keynote address.
Heidi Kramer, RD, LDN, is a cancer survivor and dietitian. Diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38, Kramer never dreamed she would soon heal and become a wife and mother. With the love of family and friends and a passion for fresh food and cooking, she ultimately discovered faith, hope and healing in her kitchen.
“Most cancer survivors are highly motivated to improve their health,” said Barbara Willm, vice president of Community Relations and Development at Lexington Medical Center. “They’re looking for something they can actively do to increase their chances of the best possible outcome. Our Women’s Night Out speaker will empower survivors and improve their overall well-being.”
With nutrition playing an important role in cancer care, Lexington Medical Center will launch a free nutrition series in January designed especially for cancer patients. Funded by the Lexington Medical Center Foundation, the Nutrition As Medicine series will offer educational sessions on a variety of topics that encourage healthy eating and weight management.
Also at Women’s Night Out, the Lexington Medical Center Foundation will announce plans for a capital campaign that will upgrade all of the hospital’s current mammography equipment to 3-D technology. 3-D mammography will become the standard of care at Lexington Medical Center.
Proceeds from Women’s Night Out benefit the Crystal Smith Breast Cancer Fund, a Lexington Medical Center Foundation program that supports women undergoing cancer treatment.
To purchase tickets, visit LMCFoundation.com or call (803) 791 – 2540.
News reporters who would like to cover Women’s Night Out or interview breast cancer survivors and physicians should contact Lexington Medical Center’s Marketing department at (803) 791-2191. Interviews with Heidi Kramer, RN, LDN will be available at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center from 6:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Lexington Medical Center diagnoses more than 300 breast cancer patients each year. The hospital’s breast program has accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) and the American College of Radiology (ACR). Lexington Medical Center has four Women’s Imaging centers, 3-D mammography and a mobile mammography van, all offering digital mammography. Lexington Medical Center’s cancer program also has accreditation with commendation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Lexington Medical Center is a 607-bed teaching hospital in West Columbia, South Carolina. It anchors a health care network that includes five community medical centers and employs a staff of more than 8,000 health care professionals. The hospital is ranked best hospital in the Columbia Metro and #2 hospital in South Carolina by U.S. News & World Report and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in South Carolina” by SC Biz News, in partnership with the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Best Companies Group. Lexington Medical Cancer Center is an accredited Cancer Center of Excellence and has a clinical research and education affiliation with MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. The network includes a cardiovascular program recognized by the American College of Cardiology as South Carolina's first HeartCARE Center. The network also has an occupational health center, the largest skilled nursing facility in the Carolinas, an Alzheimer's care center and more than 70 physician practices. Lexington Medical Center operates one of the busiest Emergency departments in South Carolina, treating nearly 100,000 patients each year. The hospital delivers more than 4,000 babies each year and performs more than 25,000 surgeries. Its postgraduate medical education programs include family medicine and transitional year residencies.
