Trading purple for pink

Nodaway Valley student athletes, coaches and fans traded their purple, black and silver for pink last week as part of a Pink Out week aimed at raising awareness for breast cancer. Even Orient-Macksburg students got in on the efforts, trading their red and white for pink.

To help prevent the disease in area communities, proceeds from the Pink Out events — which included cross country, volleyball and football events at Nodaway Valley and other events at Orient-Macksburg — are being donated to the Adair County Health Foundation to make mammograms more accessible in Adair County.

According to information shared at activities last week, the foundation supports Adair County Health System by purchasing equipment, funding construction and renovation projects, supporting special initiatives, and more. Chair of the foundation is Pam Wiggins, treasurer is Paul Nelson, and other members are Mary Carole Baudler, Nathan Kuhns, Donna Erbes, Jeff LaBarge, Gary Freeland and Lynette Olesen.

Over $2,200 has been raised by Nodaway Valley and Orient-Macksburg’s Pink Out and breast cancer awareness activities this month.

Officials with Adair County Health System say the most important step individuals can take is to get a mammogram, which is a low-dose X-ray. Though they do not prevent breast cancer, mammograms help detect it. Early detection is key in fighting breast cancer, as it is easier to treat successfully in early stages.

ACHS staff perform yearly screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds, at the hospital in Greenfield.