A special awareness event will kick off Salina Breast Cancer Awareness Month Thursday evening.

Early detection of breast cancer in its most curable stages and new treatments have greatly increased the odds for survival. In recognition of national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Tammy Walker Cancer Center at Salina Regional Health Center and Salina Downtown, Inc., will host a breast awareness event with the theme, “Imagine a World with a Cure.”

Event attendance is free and will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, at the Salina Masonic Center, 336 S. Santa Fe Ave, Salina. The event includes hair and nail spa fun, educational booths, hors d’oeuvres, door prizes and clinical breast exams performed by specialists. Local doctors also will be on hand to answer one-on-one questions. Guest speaker Lisa Armstrong, RN, will give a presentation on her experiences providing care for breast cancer patients in Honduras and there will be a special message from a breast cancer survivor.

Attendees are encouraged to wear pink for an event photo on the Masonic Center steps at 6:30 p.m. There also will be a silent auction for items such as a vintage Schwinn bicycle, signed Melissa Etheridge CD, Vera Bradley bag, paintings, acrylic nails by Expressions Salon, KU and K-State items and more with all proceeds going to support local patients undergoing treatment at the Tammy Walker Cancer Center.