Public invited to learn about breast cancer and support the cause
By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
ZEPHYRHILLS — Dr. Danielle Albritton, Doctor of Osteopathy, has never had breast cancer, but she will be thinking of all her patients who have on Oct. 17, during the Sister Stroll for Breast Cancer.
“Too many of my patients have had breast cancer because even one is too many,” Albritton said. “When I’m walking at the Sister Stroll, I’ll be thinking about all the women and their families that have been touch by this disease. If me walking gets more women to get tested and take steps to prevent it, then it is worth it.”
For the last six years, Albritton has been with Medical Group of Tampa, partners with the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, and is based out of Dade City. She is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association and is a board certified family physician.
Albritton, along with many other doctors, nurses and workers from the hospital and the medical group, will be participating in the Sister Stroll, which will benefit the new Breast Center at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.
“This is the third year we have done the Sister Stroll,” said Erin Nieves, 10-year assistant director of imaging services at the hospital. “Anybody that wants to come out and support those they know who’ve had or have breast cancer, breast cancer survivors or people that just want to help can all come and participate. And the entire hospital staff has challenged each other to come out and help support the stroll.”
Nieves said the reason they started the stroll was they know some people want to participate in walking events like “Making Strides,” which also helps raise money and awareness for breast cancer, but could not because of the distance and time. So, they started the stroll, which is only two and a half hours of walking.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin with a presentation outside the hospital’s main entrance, located at 7050 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills, from 8 to 8:30 a.m.
Albritton will deliver the first part of the presentation. As a D.O., Albritton does not specialize in cancer treatment but rather deals with patients as a primary care practitioner to screen for cancers and to help people prevent cancers altogether.
“I’ll be speaking about the role of primary care in preventing breast cancer,” Albritton said. “I’ll start by saying that breast cancer is one of the most significant health concerns in the United States. It is the most common form of diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death. Then, I will tell people that the risk of breast cancer increases with age, being overweight, with alcohol and tobacco abuse and that white women have an increase risk, and I’ll close by giving people tips to reducing their risk factors.”
The second half of the presentation will be about diagnostics and treatment of breast cancer.
Then the stroll will begin at 8:30 and will run through 11 a.m. at the hospitals fitness trail.
“Brighton has donated 250 gift bags that will be given to the first 250 walkers,” Lyn Acer, hospital spokesperson, said. “There will be certificates for $49 mammograms and/or $20 bone density tests. We’ll also be raffling off one limited edition Brighton breast cancer bracelet.”
Those attending will also be able to buy event T-shirts for $15 and water and trail mix will be available for the walkers.
There is not a date set for the opening of the new center now, but it will be at the hospitals main building.
“I won’t be working in the new Breast Cancer Center, but I’ll be referring people there” Albritton said. “My goal is to prevent people from ever getting breast cancer, but if women are ever diagnosed with the disease, they will have good resources to get the best treatment.”
Everyone attending the stroll will be asked to sign a banner that will be brought back to the stroll next year to add more names.
“The banner will also be hung up at the ‘Hospital Gala’ on Nov. 19 at Saddlebrook Resort, and all the proceeds will be presented to the hospital foundation there,” Nieves said.
The resort is located at 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.
To register for the event or for more information on the hospital or the new Breast Cancer Center, call (813) 783-8378.
If you go
What: Sister Stroll
When: Oct. 17, 8:30 to 11 a.m. A special presentation will begin at 8 a.m.
Where: Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills
Benefits: the new Breast Center at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills
More information: (813) 783-8378
