Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Board members and coordinators for the upcoming “Pink Elephant Luncheon” are excited about pairing up with the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer to educate the community about breast cancer. Coordinators for the event include, from left, Athens-Limestone Hospital Imaging Director Stacy Tribble, Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Board Member Teresa Smith, Honorary Chairperson Carolyn Stair, Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Director Amy Golden and Athens-Limestone Hospital Volunteer Services Coordinator Felicia Lambert.

October will be a time to talk about the proverbial pink elephant in the room for many across the nation. October is breast cancer awareness month.

The Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Board is partnering up with the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer to hold the first ever Pink Elephant Luncheon.

The luncheon, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 at the Athens State University Ballroom, will be an opportunity to bring breast cancer education to the community of Limestone County, said honorary chair, Carolyn Stair.

Stair, a recent survivor of breast cancer, is the controller at Athens-Limestone Hospital.

“You cannot give into this,” she said.

Stair said this event will not be scary or awkward, but will hopefully open the lines of communication for awareness and education.

The event is going to be uplifting, encouraging and fun, she said.

The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. with registration, lunch is at 11:45 a.m., speakers take the stage at noon, and a fashion show follows at 12:30 p.m.

Vera Bradley’s own Heidi Floyd, a mother, survivor and advocate for victims of breast cancer will speak. There will also be a raffle of Vera Bradley merchandise.

The fashion show will feature clothing from Bridge Street Town Center.

Seating is limited to 200. Tickets are $25 each and tables of eight are $200. All proceeds will go toward breast cancer research.

Hospital Board members will also try to “Turn the Town Pink” with bows brought by community members to honor others, said Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Director Amy Golden.

Anyone can buy a pink breast cancer awareness bow for $5 from board members. The purchaser may have a name added to the bow in honor of a breast cancer survivor.

For more information about the luncheon or to purchase tickets or bows contact Athens-Limestone Hospital Volunteer Services Coordinator Felicia Lambert at (256) 233-9290 or Golden at (256) 233-9236.

To find out more about The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, visit www.verabradley.org.