BRG’s Pink Pumpkin Patch Returns to Raise Awareness for Breast Cancer
BATON ROUGE, La. – Baton Rouge General (BRG) has kicked off its annual Protect Your Pumpkins campaign promoting annual mammograms for women 40 and over. At the heart of the breast cancer awareness campaign are thousands of pink pumpkins that popped up overnight at its Bluebonnet campus, located at the corner of Bluebonnet Blvd. and Picardy Ave. The campaign and pop-up pink pumpkin patch are sponsored by Ambetter.
The public is invited to visit the pink pumpkin patch to take photos and to bring home a pumpkin for free to display in honor of breast cancer awareness. One pink pumpkin per person is available for free, until they are gone. Additional pumpkins are $10 each. The unique “Porcelain Doll” pumpkins were cultivated to aid in the fight against breast cancer.
The pink pumpkin patch includes photo opps and other activities:
• 15-foot inflatable pink pumpkin
• Vintage truck
• Pink lemonade, caricature drawings and balloons courtesy of Ambetter
• GNG Italian ice and Posh Pop’s pink-themed gourmet popcorn
This year, BRG incorporated a new element into its Protect Your Pumpkins campaign, a Survivor Sunrise. Breast cancer patients and survivors gathered to watch the sun rise over the pink pumpkin patch, connecting with others and taking part in a meaningful moment.
Women can schedule a mammogram by visiting protectyourpumpkins.com or by calling (225) 769-1847. They are available at BRG’s Bluebonnet, Mid City and Ascension campuses, as well as its imaging location on O’Neal Lane. Saturday mammograms are available at the Ascension location.
The awareness message goes on the entire month, beyond the beloved pop-up pink pumpkin patch.
• BRG is once again highlighting Protect Your Pumpkins ambassadors, a group of survivors sharing their stories to help amplify the message of screening and early detection. This year’s ambassadors are Nanette Burbank, LaTonya Rodney and Kodi Wilson. Read their important stories here.
• On Oct. 24, BRG will also host its signature Mammos & More event. This popular screening event includes a mammogram and clinical breast exam, plus mimosas, live music and bra fittings with Bra Genie. Spots are limited.
Second to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. And breast cancer diagnoses have increased steadily in women under age 50 over the past two decades. A mammogram can often find or detect breast cancer early, when it’s small, and even before a lump can be felt. Women over 40 should talk to their doctor about their risk for breast cancer and when they should schedule a mammogram. Early detection leads to a greater range of treatment options, including less-extensive surgery and fewer serious side effects.
For more information, visit protectyourpumpkins.com. And follow the #ProtectYourPumpkins movement on social media.
About Baton Rouge General Medical Center
Baton Rouge General Medical Center is the area’s first community hospital with over 600 licensed beds between three campuses. Baton Rouge General opened its doors in 1900, and has provided the Greater Baton Rouge community with high-quality healthcare for generations. An accredited teaching hospital since 1991, Baton Rouge General is affiliated with several medical school programs, and offers other medical education programs, including a School of Nursing, School of Radiologic Technology, Family Medicine Residency Program and Internal Medicine Residency Program. For more information, visit BRGeneral.org, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BatonRougeGeneral and follow us on Twitter @BRGeneral and Instagram @batonrougegeneral.
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