Pink, the official color of Breast Cancer Awareness Month was seen on every corner of East State Street, outside the Athens City Pool, for Brake for Breakfast on Wednesday morning.
Countless volunteers, pink decorations and breast cancer ribbon balloons intrigued those driving by on their way to work and school. Brake for Breakfast, hosted by Hocking, Athens and Perry County Community Action Group, OhioHealth and CareSource, provided a free drive-through breakfast available to locals.
These three organizations, joined by a plethora of student and adult volunteers, not only raised awareness for breast cancer, but strived to reduce barriers to healthcare access. Advertising a “one-stop shop,” Brake for Breakfast offered numerous healthcare resources, including OhioHealth’s on-site mammography unit.
Julie Gladney, HAPCAP’s health programs coordinator, oversaw the different organizations working at Brake for Breakfast. Gladney said HAPCAP offers services to reduce poverty in Athens and surrounding counties.
“Our goal is to help people navigate health related social concerns,” Gladney said. “Housing, utilities, food, those sorts of resources. Our community health workers work as coaches to help people solve whatever challenges they're facing.”
Gladney said Southeast Ohio has multiple transportation issues, limiting access to healthcare. Lack of transportation can reflect a county's poverty level, and nearly 57 percent of Athens residents were impoverished in 2023, City-Data released.
Impoverished neighborhoods, the National Health Council states, are “directly correlated” with “poor health,” as residents tend to have “higher disease burden.”
Gladney said without transportation and financial income, it is difficult to determine the care an individual may need.
“One of our roles is that we would help people find a primary care or medical home so that they can have access to recommended screenings, so that they’re on track,” Gladney said.
In addition to HAPCAP, OhioHealth offered on-site mammogram screenings for attendees. Healthcare professionals were ready to answer questions regarding breast health and provide women with the care they need.
Brittany Jarvis, an administrative manager for one of OhioHealth’s cancer centers, has helped coordinate the event “from the get go.”
“Early screenings save lives, so we help get clear information out there and educate people,” Jarvis said. “Even having this service available, we know that’s going to catch cancers early and educate people on the risk factors.”
Jarvis said many residents travel to Columbus or further to find healthcare services. OhioHealth utilized the event to bring awareness to possible unknown services available in Athens and encouraged attendees to schedule a future screening appointment.
When the event debuted, Brake for Breakfast’s goal was to inspire positive change in Athens. Patti Anderson, first-time Brake for Breakfast volunteer, said she has personal connections to breast cancer awareness.
“I saw this event and thought that it’s a great cause,” Anderson said. “I felt the need to volunteer. I can do this here and then share the information that I learned and the experience I gained from today and go back and share it with family and friends.”
Like Anderson, event attendees and volunteers aspire to spread healthcare resources across the county. Brake for Breakfast was just the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. OhioHealth and other organizations encourage people to support those affected by breast cancer, both financially and emotionally.
“It feels good to have an event like this where we’re celebrating survivors overcoming a devastating diagnosis,” Gladney said. “The event is fun. So anytime we can get together and have fun and raise awareness, reducing barriers, I think we’re winning.”
