Swain Department of Nursing, Citadel Graduate College recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Photo above: The Citadel’s Swain Department of Nursing hosts breast cancer awareness events in Oct. 2019. Guest host, actor/author John O’Hurley in center, black suit. Dr. and Mrs. Chris Swain, two of the namesakes for the department, seen on far left.

Updated October 14

A gallery from The Citadel’s Swain Department of Nursing metastatic breast cancer awareness documentary viewing at Charleston Music Hall is below.

Original story

The Citadel’s Swain Department of Nursing is on a mission to educate and develop nursing cadets and students into principled leaders in the healthcare environment. They’re doing it by incorporating the college’s core values of honor, duty and respect into the learning experience.

In October, this is evidenced by National Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities being lead by cadets, students, faculty and staff from the department. They will be hosting two events to recognize National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The first event will feature two documentary screenings, showcasing powerful stories surrounding metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The second event is a breast cancer awareness “fun run” and beach party on the Isle of Palms. The event will also serve as the launch for a new charity, “Racing for MBC.”

“I’m delighted to see the Swain Department of Nursing at The Citadel engaging with the community in recognition of National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, said Christopher Swain, M.D., co-donor for the Swain Department of Nursing. “Metastatic breast cancer is a terrifying disease that kills 90% of all breast cancer patients, yet receives less than 5% of breast cancer research funds. Awareness events such as this can help to educate, increase visibility, and hopefully stimulate additional research funding in the future. I hope that the exciting and entertaining events of October 12th and 13th will bring the Charleston community together to celebrate life, as we focus a spotlight on the challenges of metastatic breast cancer.”

Documentary screenings

The two back-to-back documentary screenings will be on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Charleston Music Hall. Doors open at 5 p.m.

The first film, Marathons for Mom, shows how one mother’s six-year battle with MBC inspired her son to compete in six marathons in just one year. The second film, Love Always, Mom, documents one woman’s struggle to become a mother while battling MBC.

Tickets to see both films are $10 and can be purchased here.

“Fun run” and beach party

The “fun run” and beach party will be on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 3 – 7 p.m. at The Citadel Beach Club.

The fun run will be one mile long, both starting and ending at The Citadel Beach Club. The run will be followed by food and drink, as well as a sunset concert by The Ultimate Eagles Tribute – On the Border.

Tickets for the “fun run” and beach party are $40 and can be purchased here.

Both the film screenings and the beach party will be hosted by John O’Hurley, an award-winning actor and New York Times Bestselling Author, best known for his role in Seinfeld and as the fifth host of Family Feud.

For more information on either of these events, click here.

The Citadel Graduate College Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

The Citadel Graduate College (CGC) will also participate in National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a month-long awareness campaign. The CGC hopes to educate the campus community and acknowledge those who fight against this disease.

Beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 1, CGC staff will distribute pink ribbons to support research, honor those who have lost their lives and commemorate those who continue to fight. Ribbons can be picked up in Room 101 of Bond Hall during normal business hours.

In May 2019, The Citadel community lost one of its own to this disease. Cicely McCray was CGC’s assistant director of enrollment management for continuing education. She was tenacious, confident, and vibrant and had an adoration for education. McCray operated with a spirit of excellence, class, and creativity; mediocrity was never an option. She is missed every day.

More information about how to get involved can be found on the Susan G. Komen website.