Special Events

Bunco for Breast Cancer
Each year during Breast Cancer Awareness month in October,Vera West Women’s Center at Hendrick MedicalCenter uses the game of Bunco to bring hundreds of women together for an important cause – access to mammograms for all women in the Abilene community. At the annual Bunco for Breast Cancer Tournament, Bunco teams and individual players throughout the area play Bunco to support the Hope Fund, which provides free mammograms to women in the Abilene community who cannot afford them. 

Prior to 2001, community funding assistance was available only for women age 50 or older. The Hope Fund was established in 2001 to provide mammograms for the large population of women in the Abilene community who are less than age 50 and unable to afford mammograms. Mammography can be the key in the early detection of most breast cancers.  Eighty-five percent of breast cancers are found through mammographic and sonographic studies. Vera West Women’s Center is committed to seeing that every woman in the community has access to a mammogram, regardless of her ability to pay.

Click here for more information about Bunco for Breast Cancer

Abilene Ruff Riders Hope Fund Game
The Abilene Ruff Riders teamed up with Vera West Women’s Center during one of their home games to raise funds for the Hope Fund, which provides mammograms for women who cannot afford them. During the game, each Abilene Ruff Riders team member wore a special black and pink jersey featuring a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon. The jerseys were auctioned during the game with all proceeds benefiting the Hope Fund.

Because breast cancer is treatable when found at an early stage, all women over 40 should have a yearly mammogram to ensure cancer can be detected at the earliest stage. Previous community funding assistance was available for women age 50 years or older. The Hope Fund was established in 2001 to ensure no woman in the Big Country misses this potentially life-saving procedure, regardless of her ability to pay.

National Women's Health Week
In May, Vera West Women’s Center joins with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health in celebrating National Women’s Health Week. National Women’s Health Week is a nationwide initiative that calls attention to the importance of women’s health. During the week, families, health organizations, businesses, communities, the government and individuals come together to raise awareness about women’s health issues and educate women about simple steps they can take for a longer, healthier and happier life.