“Today” hosts screenings to spotlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month
NBC’s “The Today Show” and Mount Sinai Cancer Center will host Pink Power Day, a first-of-its-kind event launching Breast Cancer Awareness Month Wednesday, October 1, 8 a.m. at the 48th Street entrance to Rockefeller Center in New York City. The event will feature live genetic testing led by jscreen and Mount Sinai Health System, which is underwriting the cost of all screenings at the event.
Together, the sponsors will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of live hereditary cancer genetic screenings while spotlighting the lifesaving power of early detection and prevention. The aim is to spark nationwide awareness and action.
Singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow will perform at 8:30. The official Guinness presentation and announcement of record will be made at 8:50.
The first 300 participants at 8 a.m. will receive free testing, thanks to donations from jscreen and the Mount Sinai Health System.
Breast cancer survivors and medical experts will address the gathering. “Today” anchors will lead the celebration, including host Jill Martin, a BRCA mutation carrier and breast cancer survivor.
Jscreen is a national nonprofit dedicated to making genetic screening accessible for everyone. In partnership with Myriad Genetics, a leader in genetic testing and precision medicine, jscreen works to expand nationwide access to high-quality hereditary cancer and reproductive genetic testing through education, outreach, and convenient screening options.
Dr. Elisa Port, chief of Breast Surgery for Mount Sinai Health System, and a team of genetic counselors will be there to educate the public about the lifesaving role of early detection. Dr. Matt Goldstein, CEO of jscreen.org, will take part along with genetic counselors Estie Rose and Emily Goldberg and education and community outreach manager Shari Ungerleider.
— Jscreen