Haywood Regional Medical Center (HRMC), a Duke LifePoint Hospital, hosted its second annual Radiant Resilience celebration on Thursday, Oct. 30, honoring the courage and strength of local breast cancer survivors. Nearly 80 guests gathered at York Dining Hall at Lake Junaluska for an evening of reflection, hope, and community.

The event brought together breast cancer survivors from HRMC’s breast care program, along with their families, hospital caregivers, and physicians. The evening opened with remarks from HRMC’s chief executive officer Sue Shugart, FACHE, CPPS who emphasized the hospital’s continued commitment to compassionate, community-based care.

“Our breast cancer survivors remind us daily what true strength looks like,” said Shugart. “Their courage and trust inspire our entire team. It’s an honor to celebrate their journeys and to reaffirm our commitment to providing exceptional care close to home.”

Allison Johnson, MD, lead breast surgeon with Haywood Surgical Associates and Chief of Staff at HRMC, also shared remarks, highlighting the meaning behind gathering survivors together each year.

“Each survivor’s story is unique, but together they form a powerful message of hope and resilience,” said Johnson. “Events like this allow us to honor those stories, celebrate recovery, and strengthen the connection between patients and the team that walks beside them.”

The program featured moving survivor testimonials and a poem read by Barb Westlake, RN, HRMC’s breast nurse navigator, centered on the theme of resilience. Survivors were invited to write a word that captured their breast cancer journey on pink ribbons, which were then placed together to form a large display ribbon which will be showcased at the Haywood Breast Center inside HRMC’s Outpatient Care Center. Each participant also received a pink rose as a gesture of recognition and hope.

HRMC continues to champion breast health awareness throughout the year and encourages women to prioritize preventive care through regular screenings. Walk-in mammograms are available every Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Haywood Breast Center, located on the second floor of the Outpatient Care Center at 581 Leroy George Drive in Clyde. Appointments can also be scheduled by calling 828-456-8633.