CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Breast Cancer Dollars & Coins (BC/DC), a nonprofit group dedicated to breast cancer research, will host a benefit concert at the Virginia Theatre. The concert will be held on Saturday, October 26, from 6-11 p.m., and all net proceeds will benefit the Mills Breast Cancer Institute. Donations can be made leading up to, during, and after the benefit concert through the Carle Health Center for Philanthropy.
BC/DC will showcase the tribute band, Head First, who cover classic rock hits from the late ’70s and ’80s. The concert is the perfect reason for the community to come together and rock out in the fight against breast cancer.
The genesis of BC/DC’s rock concert lies in the inspiring journey of Kim Schmidt, a breast cancer survivor who received her diagnosis when she was just 40 years old. Partnering with Randy Brown from Head First, who now serves as BC/DC’s President, Schmidt, who serves as Treasurer, spearheaded this concert/fundraising initiative. This event is hoping to shine a light on how breast cancer can affect women at any age.
Patient Care Manager Caitlyn Miller, at the Carle Cancer Institute says, “Events like this are so inspirational. We’re so grateful for organizations like this to hold events like this and give back to such a great cause like breast cancer awareness…charitable donations like this are what help us pave the way through additional research, medical equipment, or devices we can use within our center here.”
The American Cancer Society (ACS) shows that breast cancer predominantly strikes middle-aged or older women, with the median age at diagnosis being 62. While the occurrence is smaller in women under 45, According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer treatments in high-income nations often result in survival rates of 90% or higher. However, these figures starkly contrast with the approximately 40% survival rates that WHO says is seen in lower-income countries where medical resources and screening processes are scarce. This breakdown underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare access globally.
Miller expands on how the Mills Breast Cancer Institute helps patients. “We have a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach of care within the breast center. Patients meet with the whole breast team for a consult. They get all the different information from all the disciplines that make up their whole care team. Research is very strongly involved in that process. We really strive to give them as much education and knowledge and lay out what all their treatment options are and what each of those options look like, so they can make the best decision for themselves.”
Merchandise sales during the event will further contribute to the fundraising efforts, with a collective goal of $50,000 from the evening. Get your tickets now at the Virginia Theatre’s website and be part of this incredible community event.