A Pink Celebration – 4th Annual

Founder Janice Turner speaks to group

The 4th Annual Pink Celebration was a room full of pink - in fashions and décor which was held Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Lake Tiak O’Khata where nearly 100 women and guests gathered to share their experience with breast cancer. Some attended to become more breast cancer aware. Others came in memory of a relative who passed from breast cancer. October is breast cancer awareness month. Janice Turner, an educator of the Choctaw Reservation, is the founder of A Pink Celebration. She is a 34 year survivor of breast cancer. She started this in Ackerman, MS over 4 years ago and it has continues in Louisville, MS. With Janice from the start were the late Denise Carter, survivor Juanita Hornsburger, and a few other friends.
Along with having a wonderful breakfast, the group was greeted and the food was blessed by Dr. Benjamin A. Pittman, pastor of Mr. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. Brenda Miller and Dean Miller provided music with Ira Burnside as accompanist. Registered Nurse Sherrie Winters of Grenada (previously of Ackerman) was the speaker who spoke about the ABC’s of Breast Cancer. She emphasized the importance of mammograms and monthly self examinations. She referenced that men should be aware that they too can get breast cancer. She talked about using the alkaline diet to help keep cancer away which consists of mostly fruits and vegetables, soybeans and tofu, some nuts, seeds, and legumes.

Dr. Willie Goss, Jr. did the memorial tribute/prayer and the audience later watched a DVD of previous celebrations and memorials of those ‘that loss the battle of cancer to complete healing with the Lord.’ This writer’s sister, Claudell Weaver was one who received complete healing when she passed in 2014 from breast cancer.

There were breast cancer testimonies by survivors Linda Peoples and Rev. Lorene Guyse who emphasized their struggles with cancer but also about how the process took them to a higher spiritual level and healing. Norma Young of the Renasant Bank, shared about how the caregivers who, after the medical professionals, play the most important role in the cancer patients’ lives. Norman was a caregiver for her mother who passed from cancer. She stated, “Caregivers must take care of themselves and keep their doctor’s appointment to be able to continue to take care of the patient.”

The celebration came to a close with door prizes and remarks by Joyce Hudson and Janice Turner. Many guest made donations that will be sent to the American Cancer Society, St Jude’s Hospital and the Sarah G. Komen Organization.

A Pink Celebration with survivors of breast cancer. L to R: Linda Peoples, Yvette Liddell, Louie Bell, Janice Turner

Neishelle Hoskins, Lena Willis, Barbara Carter-Hardin, Deborah Nicholson

Pink Celebration Committee L to R: Janice Turner, Ira Burnside, Tiffany Burnside,

Kanisha Jones, Gwen Jordan

Submitted by: Elmetra Patterson

Photos courtesy of: Elmetra Patterson