Laughter is sometimes the best medicine, and for women fighting breast cancer, it can provide a welcomed break from the stress associated with the disease ranked as one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women.

Effingham Hospital and Care Center invites the community to attend the 2011 “Lunch, Laugh and Learn” for breast cancer awareness being held Oct. 27 from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., and hosted at Effingham Career Academy, 2490 Highway 21 South in Rincon.

This year’s event speaker is Deb Gauldin, a former obstetric nurse and now nationally-known motivational speaker and humorist.

Culinary students at the ECA will prepare the lunch for “Lunch, Laugh and Learn.” Help honor the brave men and women in the community who have survived and at the same time, raise funds that will help provide assistance to community members who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

“As the community’s primary resource for care, we are very focused on preventative screenings, health education and quality health care close to home,” said Effingham Hospital and Care Center CEO Norma Jean Morgan. “We also understand that so many in our community need assistance with some of the most basic things when being treated for breast cancer. This special luncheon was designed to provide a respite for those impacted in some way, and, at the same time, an opportunity to raise funds that help bring additional resources to families in our community.”

Those in attendance will also learn about the importance of yearly screening mammograms, as well as gain insight into the early warning signs and symptoms of breast cancer.  Tickets are $25 each or purchase a table of eight for $180.

Event sponsors to date include support from the following partners: Edward Jones, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, Effingham County Victim Witness Assistance, Effingham Eye Center, Effingham Herald, Fuller Chevrolet, GeoVista Federal Credit Union and Medicap Pharmacy.

If you are unable to attend, please consider donating a ticket to a survivor in their honor.

For more information, to purchase your tickets or to become a sponsor visit www.EffinghamHealth.org or call (912)-754-0480.