A community in pink

The Washington room in the Best Western Plus University Inn was filled with a sea of pink Tuesday during the 12th Annual Pink Tea fundraising program, sponsored by Gritman Medical Center.

More than 500 men and women, all wearing different shades of magenta, salmon, fuschia, pastel pink and more, attended the event to raise money for the Bosom Buddies program at Gritman, which provides free mammograms to women in Latah County who can't afford them or don't have insurance.

"I think it's a really good program. I think as many women who can should get their mammograms annually and, if they can't afford it, then it helps them make sure they can get their medical care," said Robin Woods, business development manager at Alturas Analytics in Moscow.

Woods, along with several other female employees from Alturas, one of the event's corporate sponsors, spent the afternoon drinking tea from glass beakers while dressed in hot pink lab coats. Pink cards with different elements from the periodic table also decorated their table, along with test tubes, flasks and clear petri dishes filled with gummy worms.

For breast cancer survivor Laurie Chamberlain, 52, the Pink Tea was an opportunity to celebrate other survivors, encourage those currently battling cancer and support the preventative efforts of the Bosom Buddies program.

"It's really nice, just because I know some women cannot afford to have mammograms or even see a surgeon," Chamberlain said.

Chamberlain considers herself very fortunate. After being diagnosed with breast cancer seven years ago by doctors at Gritman, she underwent a successful surgery and went into remission six months later.

"I've been really good since," Chamberlain said.

The Pink Tea event was founded 12 years ago by former Idaho first lady Patricia Kempthorne, with help from another former first lady, Jacque Batt, to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

Kempthorne took the event statewide and said Moscow is now the only town that's kept the tradition going. Last year, the Pink Tea raised more than $40,000 for Bosom Buddies.

"It's been very successful and everybody just has so much fun. It's one of the most community things," said Kempthorne, who emceed this year's event.

Kempthorne attributed much of the Pink Tea's continued success to the support from the community, including the elected officials in attendance and the local businesses and residents that help organize the event and donate.

Several speakers took the stage during the Pink Tea, speaking about everything from the latest breast cancer research to emotional personal stories of survival.

"They make it very real and yet you also get some really good pertinent information, medical information, from the doctors that are there," Kempthorne said.

Kelly O'Neill, Gritman community relations director, said Tuesday's turnout was higher than last year's, and the total amount of money raised for Bosom Buddies would likely be counted by the end of the week.

The free screening mammograms are provided by Gritman's Women's Imaging Center at 700 S. Main St., and a physician referral is required.

Dr. Lois Niska, a primary care physician with Latah Community Health and the recently opened CHAS clinic, said she often refers women to the Bosom Buddies program.

"We have a lot of people without resources who come here and they haven't had care for years, and to get them a mammogram is wonderful. They don't have to pay for it because they don't have the resources to do so, and it's a lifesaver," Niska said.

For more information about mammograms or Bosom Buddies eligibility, women should contact their physician or call the Women's Imaging Center at (208) 882-5377. To donate to the Bosom Buddies program, visit the online giving center at www.gritman.org.

Meredith Metsker can be reached at (208) 883-4628, or by email to mmetsker@dnews.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeredithMetsker.