Mission Hospital Offers Community Activities for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Events kick off with an evening with Dr. Ernie Bodai who championed the Breast Cancer Research stamp, raising nearly $70 million for breast cancer research Mission Viejo, Calif.

This October, Mission Hospital will be sponsoring a series of special events dedicated to breast health for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Community discussion forums, support groups and exclusive shopping fundraisers are among the activities planned.

This year’s activities are planned by Mission Breast Health Services, which is dedicated to providing women with preventive measures, as well as offering a complete breast health program to diagnose and treat breast cancer with expertise and compassion.

The events kick off with an evening with Dr. Ernie Bodai, who will share his inspirational story of facing staunch opposition to bring the Breast Cancer Research postage stamp to the nation. Since the stamp was introduced in 1999, it has generated $70 million in breast cancer research. All events are free to the public, but may require advance registration.

The following special events and activities are planned for Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

• Throughout October: 7th Annual Valiant Women Wall of Honor

The Shops at Mission Viejo

Remember or celebrate someone you love with the purchase of a $25 Honor Card or make a $100 donation to provide a mammogram for a woman who could not otherwise afford one. All proceeds will go to Mission Breast Health Services.  

• October 5: Global Journey of the Breast Cancer Stamp

12:30-2 p.m., Mission Conference Center

Hear the amazing story of Dr. Ernie Bodai and his quest to bring the breast cancer postage stamp to the nation. His perseverance against resistance has led to nearly $70 million raised for breast cancer research. To reserve your seat, call (949) 347-6075.

• October 8: Bunco for a Cure

6:30-8:30 p.m., Something Moore, Laguna Niguel

What a fun way to help fight breast cancer! Your $20 donation gets you in the game but the play is up to you. Email Julie Patterson ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to reserve you place.

• October 12: "Ask the Docs!" An Open Forum about Breast Cancer

6:30-8:30 p.m., Mission Conference Center

Want to know more about breast cancer, its treatment options or recovery? Join us and ask your questions. A multidisciplinary team of physicians will be on hand to provide the answers.

October 15 – 18: Key to the Cure Shopping Event

Saks Fifth Avenue at The Shops at Mission Viejo

Saks Fifth Avenue will host this annual event in conjunction with their Friends & Family discounts. Receive 25 percent off regular & sale merchandise, 20 percent off jewelry and ten percent off cosmetics/fragrances. Two percent of sales will go toward Mission Hospital in support Mission Breast Health Services.

• October 25: Feria Del Sol

8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Mission Basilica, San Juan Capistrano

This breast cancer awareness event is for Spanish-speaking community members, women identified at risk in Orange County. Please spread the word.

• October 26: Dress Pink! Day

Mission Hospital

Be "in the pink" and show your support for all breast cancer survivors who welcome our collective strength as they face diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

For more information about Valiant Women, please call Mission Hospital Foundation at 949-364-7783. For all other programs listed above, please call 949-365-2273.

About Mission Hospital

Mission Hospital provides south Orange County communities with access to advanced care and advanced caring through two convenient locations. Mission Hospital has been serving the greater needs of the community for nearly 40 years, improving the quality of life in the communities we serve. Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, the region’s only designated trauma center, offers 24-hour emergency care and specialized services for imaging, heart, stroke, maternity, and women’s wellness needs. Its second campus, Mission Hospital Laguna Beach, offers 24-hour emergency, intensive and medical-surgical care as well as the South County’s only behavioral health services and hospital-based chemical dependency and chronic pain medicine abuse center. A member of the St. Joseph Health System, Mission Hospital is one of 14 not-for-profit hospitals sponsored by the St. Joseph Health Ministry. For more information, visit mission4health.com.

Media Contacts

Kelsey Martinez, 949-364-4874 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Phiphi Tran, 714-663-8188 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it