Girls Night Out raises $50,000 for breast care center

The Girls Night Out Altoona Inc. committee presented a check for $50,000, their largest donation to date, to the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center, Windber, in support of patient care services. Each year the committee hosts an annual fundraising dinner that brings together breast cancer survivors, family, friends and supporters. They hosted their 14th annual event in October at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona with 850 people in attendance.

"Girls Night Out Altoona, Inc. raised an impressive sum this year -- $190,000! We are so grateful for the committee's continued support and dedication to increasing breast cancer awareness and helping patients in our community," said Kim Oleksa, CSSMCW Foundations/Development Administrator.

GNOAI has been raising funds for the JMBCC since 2008. Since then, they have contributed more than $449,000 to the breast care center. Their generous donations have helped to fund Pink Ribbon Care, a program that provides assistance for patients who are unable to pay for breast-related health services -- including mammograms, follow-up diagnostic services, and genetic counseling.

To date, GNOAI has raised and donated more than $1.3 million. Proceeds from this year's event have been split between four organizations they support -- the JMBCC, The Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, UPMC Women's Breast Health Center, and Penn Highlands Tyrone.

"We have a very dedicated team of 22 volunteers who work on this event 12 months of the year. Our goal is to provide help and hope to those in the fight against breast cancer with our monies. Already gearing up for our 15th Annual Girls Night Out Altoona, Inc. event, this year it will be held at the Blair County Convention Center on Wednesday, Oct. 25," said GNOAI President Juls Bratton.