The 2024 Latina Red Dress event was held in Gering, Nebraska, on Feb. 10. The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center was a platinum-level sponsor for the event.
Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, attended the event. Juan Santamaria, MD, assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Surgical Oncology and program director for the Nebraska Breast Health Navigation Program, was the keynote speaker.
“The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center was honored to sponsor this incredible event that brings numerous aspects of Latina women’s health into the spotlight,” Dr. Sweasy said. “It was very gratifying to see so many people come together to raise awareness while celebrating a vibrant culture.”
Started in 2008, Latina Red Dress is a health promotion event for Latina women. This year’s topic was cancer. Dr. Santamaria spoke about “Living Without Myths and Raising Awareness: Strategies for Preventing and Combating Cancer.”
“Attending the Latina Red Dress Event had a tremendous impact on me,” Dr. Santamaria said. “I felt honored to deliver a keynote speech on cancer awareness and prevention, conducted entirely in Spanish.”
A patient with stage IV metastatic breast cancer also shared their story.
“This testimony stands out as one of the most incredible and moving cancer patient testimonies I’ve ever encountered,” Dr. Santamaria said. “It deeply connected me to the challenges faced by our underserved and rural communities in accessing cancer care. We must do more for our rural communities.”
Attendees had the opportunity to visit vendors in a health fair where free and reduced cost screenings were offered.
“This year there were 125 attendees, and most went through at least some of the screenings,” said Trina Aguirre, PhD, associate professor in the UNMC College of Nursing-West Nebraska Division and host of the event.
Participants also were treated to a fashion show featuring cancer survivors, a heart healthy lunch, mariachi music and guadalupanos dancers.
Dr Aguirre, always changing the world! I see you!