PAULINA — More than 50 River Parishes women gathered recently for a photograph signifying strength and hope.

The women, some strangers and others old friends, shared one very special thing in common. Each was a breast cancer survivor of at least 15 years.

A picture of the group will be displayed in St. James Parish Hospital’s mammography room as a positive reminder that with early detection, the battle against breast cancer can be won, hospital marketing director Kassie S. Roussel said.

The women gathered Oct. 26 at St. Peter Chanel gym in Paulina as part of an army of more than 400 people facing down breast cancer from all angles during the hospital’s annual Pink Ribbon Ladies’ Night Out. The night’s inspiration and celebration hit a high point as breast cancer survivors were called one-by-one to the stage, leading to the picture.

The event concluded with a “Survivor Second Line,” as the ladies danced off the stage waving “goodbye” with pink tissues.

A beautiful candle-lit memorial ceremony was led by hospital CEO Mary Ellen Pratt.

Organizers said Ladies’ Night Out was an overwhelming success as hundreds of women came for a night of sisterhood and lifesaving education. Attendees were treated to a health fair, which included vendors promoting breast cancer education and offering resources to those impacted by cancer.

St. James Parish Hospital’s Radiology Department, Cancer Services of Baton Rouge, the American Cancer Society and East Jefferson General Hospital—member of the MD Anderson Cancer Network—were among the participants.

After visiting booths, attendees were served a delicious meal.

The agenda included an “integrative medicine” presentation by doctors Ashish Udhrain and Khawaja Jahangir from East Jefferson General Hospital’s Cancer Care Team and a brief presentation by the Mammography Team at St. James Parish Hospital.

“This year’s event was an overwhelming success,” Roussel said. “The hospital would like to thank and recognize Motiva and Entergy who have so generously sponsored the event for several years. Members of the Motiva team also volunteered to help serve. The hospital also thanks St. Peter Chanel and the wonderful team of volunteers and employees that work so hard to plan and host such an important evening.”

Pictures from the event and a copy of the physician presentation can be found on the hospital’s Facebook Page (search @stjamesparishhospital).