The Ann Harris Smith Foundation was title sponsor of the the annual fundraising event for the Highlands Health, Laurel Highlands Free and Charitable Medical Clinic in Johnstown, PA. This was an opportunity for the foundation to share the message about ovarian cancer awareness to hundreds of people in attendance aimed in support of women and their families in the region who are suffering from gynecological cancers and to educate the community of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer..
The fundraiser was held August 26, 2016, at the Polacek Pavilion at People’s Natural Gas Park in downtown Johnstown. The event opened with the music of Pittsburgh’s Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers. New Orleans-based Galactic was the headliner.
Statements by Mike and Matt were released in various news outlets throughout the region.
“September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and we feel this concert will be a fantastic way to kick-off our annual campaign. In keeping with the many highlights of September, such as “Turn The Towns Teal,” we felt that this would be a fitting way to draw more attention to this disease. We would like to make an impression on people so that they associate “Teal” as something more than a color but a reminder; to educate themselves and their loved ones of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and to do something about it,” said Mike Smith.
Matt Smith, added, “We want people to remember this event in a special way, one which has a positive impact on them or a loved-one and potentially their health and well-being.”
As part of the sponsorship, a year long program for ovarian and other gynecological cancer awareness was created by Rosalie Danchanko, Executive Director of HIghlands Health, which provided information on this topic to each of the medical center’s 800+ patients, as well as, programs in schools, universities, and the throughout the local communities in Cambria and Somerset counties.
