Friday, October 15, 2010 2:00 pm

Dorothy (Sharon Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Shelia Long), the Scarecrow (Della Young) and the Tin Man (Robi Romano) are "off to get a mammogram" following their performance at the Senior Center Friday.

A "Pink Party" was held Friday at the Cannon County Senior Center to highlight the importance of women getting a yearly mammogram.

As part of the event, seniors put on a skit that was based on the "Wizard of Oz." At the conclusion, the Wicked Witch was unable to discourage Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion from "going off to get a mammogram."

The audience also heard from several survivors of breast cancer, who encouraged them to not put off gettting a mammogram and to not be afraid of getting treatment if it is found they have cancer.

"You can crawl up in a corner or you can get on with your life," Shelia Long said. "I chose to move forward and I'm happy today to be a three-year survivor."

October is Breast Awareness Month. In recognition, the Senior Center and Stones River Hospital are encouraging women to get their annual mammogram by doing a mammogram drive.

The "No Excuses-Get Checked!" project promotes the importance of screening, provides free mammograms, and provides a support system for those recently diagnosed. The project offers mammograms to women 40 years of age or older who do not have insurance or are considered self-pay.

Educating women to be proactive about their health, to not avoid preventative screenings, and to follow through with scheduled appointments are some of the primary goals of this project.

Even though this project is dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer, recently diagnosed clients will be matched with breast cancer survivors as mentors in order to establish trusting relationships during treatment. We realize how thin the line is between being a person without cancer and being a person living with cancer. We want to eliminate the excuses women use to keep from having mammograms.

Have you put off your mammogram? Have you made an excuse? "I just have not had time." "I will , when I can." "I don't have a family history." "I don't want to know." "I just can't afford it" "My deductible is too high." "My insurance won't cover it." Chances are those reasons don't hold up, especially when you consider it is easier to treat and survive breast cancer when it's found early. Early detection starts with getting a mammogram.

Cannon County Senior Center and Stones River Hospital received a Susan G. Komen grant to offer free mammograms. Your excuse no longer works!

Call 615-563-5304 today to schedule your screening.