The Regional Medical Center is once again reaching out to women battling, and surviving, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in South Carolina.

The RMC Foundation is working to get the community to think pink, the color symbolizing breast cancer awareness, with its third annual Pink Ribbon Luncheon to be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at The Cinema in the Orangeburg Mall.

The Junior Service League of Orangeburg is presenting this year's event. Buckridge Catering will provide a gourmet lunch.

The event, which began in 2005, has garnered more than $88,000 in the fight against breast cancer, with all proceeds benefitting breast cancer programs at the RMC.

"Prior to that time, we have never tried to raise a cent specifically for the fight against breast cancer," said RMC Foundation Executive Director Mac Burton. "I think to go from zero dollars to almost $90,000 is rather remarkable. We also want to raise awareness and the need for self-examination and early detection."

In addition to providing funds to support breast screenings, outreach, education and treatment, proceeds from the luncheon will also fund H.O.P.E. bags -- an acronym for hope, opportunity, promise and empowerment -- for women diagnosed with breast cancer at the RMC. Intended to offer comfort to the patients, the pink, quilted bags include a journal, a compact disc player, a CD of soft music, a scarf, a satin pillow case and a book written by cancer survivors entitled "The Many Faces of Breast Cancer."

The bags are given to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer at the RMC and/or receiving treatment at the RMC. Approximately 40 bags have been distributed already this year.

"It's given to women when they're newly diagnosed. It is carefully thought through to contain items of comfort, health and hope," Burton said. "We wanted every woman involved in this to know that there are others who care and are thinking about them."

Gloria Garrison, chairperson of this year's event committee, said women can also purchase the $50 H.O.P.E. bags in support or sponsorship of someone with breast cancer as well as purchase pink bears, which are being sold for $15 each and $25 for two.

Of the Pink Ribbon Luncheon, she said, "It's fast-growing. We had a full house last year. Tickets are going very well, so we hope to have an even larger crowd this year. It's something to help get rid of this dreaded disease of breast cancer."

Burton said the successful Pink Ribbon fund-raising effort has allowed the foundation to funnel dollars to support the RMC's Breast Health Center, which opened in April 2006 and includes the hospital's second digital mammography unit.

"There is an attractive boutique in the Breast Center," Burton said. "The board of the foundation has approved additional ... money ... that can be used for wigs, prostheses, scarves ... things that some patients really need, but can't otherwise afford.

"We're trying to help women who are both in medical and financial need as they go thr

ough this journey."

Proceeds have also helped fund a breast cancer treatment handbook that gives women a guide to understanding the disease, treatments, emotions and recovery from breast cancer.

Becky Hejl, lead mammographer in the Breast Health Center, said the statistics point to the need for more awareness and prevention.

"Orangeburg County is number 11 in the state for new cases of breast cancer and number seven for deaths," she said. "There's more white women being diagnosed, but more young, black women are dying.

"This is not a death sentence. Women can live a full life."

She said the popularity of the Pink Ribbon Luncheon has spawned planning for similar efforts to support local women -- and men -- who are battling breast cancer in the RMC region.

Hannah Horne, anchor of the WIS News 10 Sunrise and Midday newscasts, will be the luncheon speaker. A graduate of the University of South Alabama, Horne has also worked at Raycom sister stations in Biloxi, Miss., and Lake Charles, La. She has also worked with CNN Headline News in Atlanta.

The cost of the Pink Ribbon Luncheon is $55 per person. Paid reservations must be made by Sept. 24 because of limited seating. A 33-member committee is overseeing preparations for this year's event. For more information, call the foundation office at 803-395-2321.

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T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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