Connect

Pamper Me Pink and all its fanfare returned to Germanna Community College in Culpeper, Virginia on Tuesday, Oct. 28 for the 21st consecutive year — bringing together celebration and education during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  

Attendees — including UVA Health leaders, providers, and other team members — enjoyed an evening of women’s empowerment, wellness-focused experiences, light refreshments, and the ever-popular goody bags. The event is designed to be both educational and uplifting for those surviving, living through, or learning about breast cancer. 

The evening featured a conversation with Kearn Ghuman, DO, UVA Health Family Medicine and Same Day Care Dominion (pictured above), followed by a lively game of "Medical Let’s Make a Deal" and heartfelt personal stories from three cancer survivors.

21 Years and Going Strong  

Sharon Welch Clark, owner of Pepperberries in Culpeper, partners each year with UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center to increase access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings. Clark initially started the event as a way to raise funds to provide mammograms for those who could not afford them. Her goal always has been to help neighbors and surrounding communities gain access to essential screenings.  

Every penny raised goes directly toward funding mammograms for residents in need across Culpeper, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties. As the event was running, more than $1,300 in cash donations and more were received using a QR code. The community is committed completely to the success of this beloved event.  

Last year, Pamper Me Pink funded 88 mammograms through UVA Health Outpatient Imaging Center in Culpeper. A total of $31,507 was raised through year-round efforts such as a basket raffle, a 5K run, and hoodie sales organized by the Culpeper County Sheriff’s Office. An additional $13,841 came from contributions by the Culpeper Wellness Foundation, PATH Foundation, and Orange County High School. 

Community Commitment  

“If you live in Culpeper, you’ve probably met Sharon!” hails one attendee. “She’s always making sure donations go right back into the community, and encouraging others to schedule their yearly exams."

Indeed, Clark remains deeply committed to ensuring everyone has access to screenings. “As a community, we're all working together to provide hundreds of mammograms — and that's directly helped make a true difference,” she explains.

Early Detection = Better Outcomes

Supporting the effort each year, Jeff Say, Program Manager, Community Engagement, UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center — a longtime Culpeper resident — desribes the event as representing extraordinary collaboration throughout the community.  

“To look across the room at our more than 50 volunteers gave me great pride! This event brings 500-plus people together to celebrate survivors, raise awareness, and support those in the fight against cancer," he says. "Now that the event is over, we'll start planning for next year’s Pamper Me Pink on the fourth Tuesday in October 2026!"

Scott Found, survivor panelist, says, “The entire night was inspirational to be surrounded by so many resilient and strong people. I was a bit outnumbered with 98% of the 500+ attendees being ladies, but I told them to go home and tell their men to get a PSA test earlier than suggested. Early detection equals better outcomes.”  

Donations to Pamper Me Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Fund to provide free mammograms and follow-up imaging to those with financial need living within UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center’s service can be made in person at Pepperberries — or online.

(Top photo, from left: Jeff Say; Chuck and Tracy Welch, brother and sister-in-law of Sharon Welch Clark; Sharon Welch Clark; Nael Hasan, MD, Chief Medical Officer, UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center; Donna Staton, Chief Operating Officer, UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center; Roslyn Giddens, Program Manager, Community Engagement, UVA Health Haymarket and Prince William Medical Centers; Ashley Carter, Director of Operations, UVA Health Culpeper Medical Group; and Pam Bertone, Program Manager, UVA Health Workforce Pipeline Development.)