Mercy and Alliant Energy join forces to promote the Power of Pink

 CEDAR RAPIDS – Mercy Medical Center and Alliant Energy are joining forces to light the night pink on Thurs., Sept. 29.  A special Power of Pink event that evening at 7:30 p.m. will mark the arrival of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month-October-with a lighting ceremony and free giveaways to promote awareness and early detection.

With the flip of a switch, the hospital entrances and other designated areas will be illuminated in pink and will remain lit throughout the month of October.  Additionally, Megan Turner, host of Alliant Energy's Power House TV show, will be giving away free pink

compact fluorescent light bulbs, while supplies last.  Those who receive the energy saving light bulbs are encouraged to put them in their porch lights for the month as a reminder to women in their neighborhood to get screened for breast cancer.

The

^{Power of Pink event takes place at Mercy's 10th}

St. entrance, along 10

^th

St. SE, directly across from McKinley Middle School.  A brief program at 7:30 p.m. will be followed by the illumination of the hospital.  Refreshments will be served.

The public is encouraged to attend-and wear pink.  A $2 donation will be made to the Especially for You® fund for each person in attendance.  The fund provides breast care services such as mammograms, biopsies and ultrasounds for those in our community who couldn't otherwise afford them.

Mercy is proud to be the area's leader in cancer care.  This year marks the 21Especially for You® Race Against Breast Cancer, on Sun., Oct. 2, which supports the Especially for You fund.  More than 15,000 people are expected to take part in the race this year.

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anniversary of the

Mercy is also proud to be home to the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, now under construction on the north side of the hospital.  This state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open next spring, providing the most advanced cancer therapies and technologies inside a single, supportive healing environment – close to home.

Event Details

What:   Power of Pink lighting event

When:   Thurs., Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.

Where:  Mercy Medical Center's 10

^th

St. entrance (directly across from McKinley MS)

Why:      To kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month & promote early detection

Who:      The public is invited to attend.