A FREE women's health event will take place in Center, Saturday, Aug. 16 to help bring awareness for breast and cervical cancer prevention. Women Helping Women, Friend to Friend is sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, along with the Center Rotary Club, Lions Club, The Hope Clinic, Nacogdoches Medical Center and Cline Family Medicine. Guest speaker is CEO of The Hope Clinic, Jean Diebolt, who'll share info to women on getting mammograms, pap smears and other detection screenings early.

Extension Agent Jheri-Lynn Smith says if you can't afford to have these screenings, don't worry, there's funding available through a grant that was recently approved.

She says appointments for cervical and breast cancer exams are being scheduled at the event for a later date.

The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Center Community House and seating is limited. Therefore, registration in advance is required, with deadline next Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Ms. Smith adds there'll be on-site FREE health screenings, lunch will be served, and each attendee receives a grab bag. She reminds women it's never too early to receive preventative cancer exams. Mothers are also encouraged to bring their teenage daughters to the event.

To register for the Women Helping Women, Friend to Friend FREE event on Aug. 16 in Center, contact the Shelby County Extension Office at 598-7744.

Deadline is Wednesday, Aug. 13.