Celebrate Women event returns Sept. 17 to support women’s health in Southwest Virginia

Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon invites women across the region to attend Celebrate Women, a free annual event dedicated to women’s health and wellness, on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 4–7 p.m. at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia.

This community event offers women an opportunity to prioritize their health while connecting with local healthcare experts and resources. The evening will feature door prizes, educational sessions, giveaways and vendor booths, all designed to promote awareness and encourage preventive care. Guests will also have the chance to win a Dyson Airwrap styler and dryer as the grand prize.

“Celebrate Women is a great chance for women in our community to put their health first,” said Paula Fore, senior director of Ballad Health Cancer Care – Abingdon. “We want women to leave this event feeling informed, encouraged and connected to resources that can help them take care of themselves. Early detection and preventive care can make a real difference, and we’re proud to bring these resources together in one place.”

“Women often spend so much of their time caring for others that their own health can take a back seat,” Fore said. “Celebrate Women is a reminder that taking care of yourself is important, too. Whether it’s scheduling a screening, learning about heart health or simply talking with a healthcare professional, we hope this event inspires women to take that next step.”

The event will include participation from Ballad Health Cancer Care, Ballad Health Medical Associates, Ballad Health Mobile Health Clinic and multiple specialty and support teams, including oncology navigators, cardiology navigators, dietitians and nurse practitioner coaches. Attendees will also have access to information about services related to heart health, kidney care, pulmonology, neurology and more.

Ballad Health will also host an informational booth to share details about free low-dose CT lung cancer screenings available to eligible individuals from Sept. 1, 2026, through Jan. 29, 2027. A clinician referral is required for free screenings.

To qualify for a free screening, patients must:

• Be between the ages 50 and 80
• Have no previous lung cancer diagnosis
• Have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (one pack year equals smoking one pack per day for a year)
• Be a current smoker or have quit within the last 15 years
• Have not had any prior low-dose CT scans
• Have not had a chest CT scan within the last 12 months

Eligible individuals are advised to contact their physician’s office and ask for a low-dose CT imaging order. Learn more about low-dose CT.

Learn more about mammograms and other available cancer screenings.