The 22nd St. Joseph’s/Candler SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo Raises Record Amount

Annual event raised more than $248,000 for the Telfair Mammography Fund

The SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo once again raised a record amount of money - $248,531 - through event proceeds and donations, all for the benefit of uninsured or underinsured women who need lifesaving mammograms and other breast health services.

Traditionally held in October, SmartWomen is an annual fundraiser for St. Joseph's/Candler's Telfair Mammography Fund, which provides mammograms and other breast care services for those who cannot afford those life-saving services.

The SmartWomen event has now raised $2,295,787 in the last 22 years.

PHOTO ID L-R: SmartWomen Chair Price Mingledorff, SJ/C Foundations Executive Director Vernice Rackett, SmartWomen Vice Chair Andrea Dove

"In this day and age, this is a remarkable accomplishment. It could only occur with the support of our sponsors, the community and an undaunted group of women who lead this effort each year," said St. Joseph's/Candler President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey. "This clearly shows the importance of women's health and recognizes the imperative need to assist uninsured women get the screenings they need. Every year hundreds of women put off their mammograms for fear they can't afford it. St. Joseph's/Candler founded the SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo to ensure all women will be screened. I want to thank the entire community for coming together and supporting this event."

The SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo took place Oct. 9 at the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center. About 1,400 people attended. The expo had 70 vendors and the event attracted 102 sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor Chatham Parkway Lexus and Hilton Head Lexus, Speaker Sponsor Savannah Chatham Imaging and Platinum Sponsors the Colonial Group and Mingledorff's.

Laila Ali was this year's keynote speaker. The boxer, role-model, chef and TV host spoke about her life's journey and growing up as the daughter of Muhammad Ali.

"Everyone involved with this year's SmartWomen were so incredible and inspiring," said Price Mingledorff, Chairwoman of SmartWomen. "Laila Ali had a wonderful and entertaining message, the vendors and sponsors showed how important this event is. But also, thank you to all the attendees who showed up to support uninsured women who need potentially life-saving mammograms."

In our region, approximately 20 percent of the population are uninsured or underinsured. The goal of the Telfair Mammography Fund is to ensure that women have access to mammography and other breast health services, even if they have no insurance or high deductibles or copays.

Past years' luncheons have featured notable women such as Marie Osmond, Soledad O'Brien, Vicki Lawrence, Taya Kyle, Jane Seymour, Anne Burrell, Fran Drescher, Amy Grant, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, Marilu Henner, Joan Lunden, Giuliana Rancic, Leigh Anne Tuohy, Olympia Dukakis, Ellen Burstyn, Peggy Fleming, Ivana Trump, Erin Brockovich, Suze Orman and author Mary Kay Andrews.