News

Inspiring speaker keynotes Women Helping Women

Sharon Delaney McCloud

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 23, 2024

Tickets are now available for the 27th annual Women Helping Women luncheon at noon Friday, Oct. 18, at Blue Ridge Conference Hall at BRCC featuring Sharon Delaney McCloud as keynote speaker.

Director of corporate communications at UNC Health, McCloud is an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer 12 years after losing her daughter to leukemia. She shares her powerful story to honor her daughter’s memory and empower others to face their battles with strength. 

Pardee Hospital Foundation’s Women Helping Women aims to provide supplementary support for women who require necessary medical treatment but cannot afford the costs. Proceeds raised through the program help fill financial gaps for women in moments of greatest need. 

This year’s presenting sponsor is First Bank of Hendersonville.

Since its inception in 1997, the program has raised more than $3.4 million, reflecting both the community’s generosity and the critical need for these services. Over the years, Women Helping Women has grown into a powerful force for good, initially focusing on breast screenings and reducing the stigma of a breast cancer diagnosis. The event has not only raised awareness but has also greatly enhanced women’s understanding of the importance of mammograms as a vital part of their health care.

This year, Women Helping Women aims to build on the momentum of its early years by further expanding its focus into the community and on building fundraising partnerships with more businesses. Specifically, several businesses are holding special fundraising events ahead of the Oct. 18th luncheon. While each business will have a different angle, the mini fundraisers are all donating some portion of sales to Women Helping Women initiatives. Some of the business partners include Point Lookout Vineyard, West First Wood Fired, Green River BBQ, Piggy’s & Harry’s, AlyKat Subs & Sandwiches, Flat Rock Cinema, Tooley’s Cafe, Dry Falls Brewing Co., and several others.

For more information visit pardeehospitalfoundation.org/events. To learn more about attending as a guest or becoming a sponsor, contact the Pardee Hospital Foundation at Amy.Treece@unchealth.unc.edu or 828-233-2700.