The South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce brought medical experts and community leaders together in Coral Gables to emphasize education, early detection and continued support of breast cancer
Breast cancer awareness took center stage at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables on October 9, as the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFLHCC) hosted its 16th Annual Fashionably Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Lunch & Panel Discussion. Organized through the chamber's Hispanic Women's Society Network, the gathering brought together healthcare professionals, business leaders and community supporters to promote education, early detection and prevention.
Held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the event reflected the importance of making reliable health information accessible to South Florida residents. Its theme, “Stronger Together – A Healthier Tomorrow for All,” highlighted the role that medical institutions, community organizations and individuals can play in encouraging preventive care and supporting people affected by breast cancer.
Medical Experts Bring Breast Cancer Education into the Community
The annual luncheon featured a panel of healthcare professionals representing several major South Florida medical institutions. Presented by Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Health System, the program created an opportunity to bring medical expertise into a community setting outside the traditional doctor's office.
Madison Torres, an Emmy Award-winning broadcast meteorologist with Univision Miami, moderated the discussion. Panelists included Dr. Alejandra Perez of UHealth, Dr. Meena Bedi of Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Jessica M. Pastoriza of Mount Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Marina Gorelik of HCA Florida Kendall Hospital and Jenny Rivera-Rubin of the Biltmore Hotel.
The participation of specialists from multiple healthcare institutions underscored the collaborative nature of the event. Rather than centering the program on a single hospital or medical practice, Fashionably Pink brought different organizations into a shared conversation about breast cancer awareness and the importance of informed healthcare decisions.
Breast cancer screening is an important component of preventive healthcare because it can help identify cancer before symptoms appear. Mammograms are commonly used to screen for breast cancer, although the appropriate screening schedule may depend on a person's age, medical history, family history and individual risk factors. Residents should discuss their screening options with a qualified healthcare professional rather than relying on a single recommendation for everyone.
Awareness also involves understanding that breast cancer can affect people with different medical backgrounds and levels of risk. While some individuals have a family history of the disease, many people diagnosed with breast cancer do not. This makes routine conversations about screening, changes in breast health and personal risk especially important.
Community events such as Fashionably Pink can help reinforce those conversations by bringing health information to audiences who might not otherwise attend a medical seminar. The luncheon also illustrated how business and civic organizations can support public health education by connecting medical professionals with the communities they serve.
Sixteen Years of Community Involvement and a Continuing Message
For the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the 2026 luncheon marked 16 years of organizing Fashionably Pink as an annual platform for breast cancer awareness. Through its Hispanic Women's Society Network, the chamber has positioned the event at the intersection of women's health, business leadership and community engagement.
That connection is particularly relevant in Miami-Dade County, where residents come from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Understanding medical recommendations, finding appropriate screening services and knowing when to seek professional advice are essential parts of navigating healthcare. Community-based conversations can help make those subjects more approachable, although awareness events are not a substitute for individualized medical guidance.
The October 9 gathering combined its educational program with elements intended to create a supportive atmosphere. Performer Masha Kova provided a musical presentation, adding an artistic component to an afternoon focused on health education and community participation.
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center served as the presenting sponsor, while Ocean Bank participated as the official LED sponsor. Additional sponsors and attendees supported the gathering, which brought representatives of the healthcare, business and civic sectors together around a shared public health concern.
Beyond the annual event, the broader challenge is helping people turn awareness into action. Learning about breast cancer is an important first step, but meaningful prevention and early detection efforts also depend on access to healthcare professionals, appropriate screening, timely follow-up and reliable information about individual risk.
For residents who have delayed a screening or have questions about breast health, Breast Cancer Awareness Month offers an opportunity to begin that conversation with a healthcare provider. People experiencing a new lump, nipple discharge, skin changes or other concerning symptoms should seek medical evaluation rather than waiting for a routine screening appointment.
Fashionably Pink's 16th anniversary demonstrates how sustained community involvement can keep an important health issue visible year after year. The value of that commitment extends beyond one luncheon: it lies in encouraging informed decisions, continued conversations and greater attention to breast health throughout South Florida.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, the central message remains relevant long after the event concludes. Education, appropriate screening and timely medical care are essential components of protecting breast health, and community organizations can play a meaningful role in keeping those priorities in public view.
Subscribe to Calle Ocho News for weekly Miami-Dade updates.
Contact Pressnet Corp. for advertising, sponsorship and partnership opportunities.