Pink Sunday Event Features Reading of 'Tough Titty'

In an effort to further spread the message of early detection and education, local churches, the PassinArt Theatre Company and Legacy Health will present Portland's first Pink Sunday Event.
Developed by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Pink Sundays are huge in the South. Kathy Kendrix, an organizer, says that Atlanta has the biggest event in the United States, but Portland will hold the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.
Held from noon to 5 p.m. at Legacy Emanuel Hospital Atrium, 501 N. Graham St., the free event features a number of booths and breast cancer information kiosks, as well as a live program starting at 3 p.m.
The program features the story of an 85-year-old who survived breast cancer twice, a tribute to survivors and a tribute to those who have died. The highlight of the evening is the theatrical reading of a portion of "Tough Titty" by Oni Faida Lampley.
According to Kendrix, Lampley survived her breast cancer diagnosis for seven years before succumbing to the disease. She wrote the play about her experience. The PassinArt Theatre Company will present the reading, as well as a production of the full play from March 11 to 26, 2011 at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center.
Pink Sunday's main goal is to get church congregations involved in helping encourage women to get mammograms and take other steps to reduce their risk of contracting and succumbing to the disease.
"The key is early detection," says Kendrix.
For more information, visit www.passinart.net.