Longtime Rutherford County community leader, retired schoolteacher and breast cancer survivor Betty Hord is the 2012 honoree for the MTMC Foundation Power of Pink’s inaugural Wine Around the Square (WATS) event Sept. 21. 

            Each year the Power of Pink recognizes a local woman who has had breast cancer and who champions the effort to create public awareness of the importance of early detection.  This year, for the first time in its seven-year history, WATS is expanding the annual fundraising event to a public venue featuring a “progressive” wine tasting and art show to benefit local women’s breast health needs.  Funds raised will be used for mammograms, breast cancer care and education for women in Rutherford County who may be uninsured, underinsured or indigent.

            Wine Around The Square will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21, with live music, appetizers, an art show and wine-tasting venues throughout downtown Murfreesboro around the historic Public Square.  Visit mtmc.org/powerofpink to purchase your tickets.

            The event promises to be a casual, fun outdoor evening beginning at Pinnacle Financial Partners at 114 West College Street.  Paid guests will check in there, receive a Wine Around the Square etched signature wine glass, enjoy the evening’s first wine tasting, sample passed hors d’oeuvres and receive instructions for the evening.

About Honoree Betty Hord

            The daughter of a physician, Betty Farrar was born and grew up in Shelbyville, TN, graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and began her teaching career in Coffee County.  Later, she went back to school, this time to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) for her Masters and Ed.S., where she also met her soon-to-be husband Tommy Hord.  The couple has been married for 39 years.

            In addition to her 31-year teaching career, Betty Hord’s life in Murfreesboro has been filled with family, church and civic involvement.  She and Tommy have one child, Elizabeth, and two grandsons, Elijah and Gabriel.  Betty has served as Executive Board member and as past president of the Charity Circle, and is an eight-year Board member and current President of the Oaklands Association.  Betty and her family are involved members of First United Methodist Church where Betty directs the “Feed My Sheep” food ministry.

            In March 2011, Betty’s life changed in an unexpected way. During her routine annual baseline mammogram, a mass was detected.  As is normal protocol, Betty was asked to come back in for a more advanced diagnostic mammogram.  Following the second mammogram, an ultrasound and needle biopsy was performed to confirm the status of the mass. 

            Dr. Susan Andrews, Betty’s primary care physician, was out of the country at the time so the task of informing Betty that the mass was cancerous fell to Dr. Marynelle Klumpe, a diagnostic radiologist.  Betty said that because of her family history of cancer she was not shocked by the news, but she was shaken.  The good news was the mass appeared to be encapsulated and contained within a small area.  She and Dr. Klumpe discussed her treatment options and what to expect going forward. 

            “After my meeting with Dr. Klumpe, I was still unnerved by the news and probably a little teary-eyed, so as I started out the door, Dr. Klumpe called me back and asked if she could pray with me.  Her prayer was from the heart.  I was tremendously moved by her compassion and caring, and I will never forget her kindness,” Betty said.

            Dr. Wayne Westmoreland performed Betty’s surgery at MTMC, and the initial diagnosis was confirmed:  the mass was contained and had not spread to her lymph nodes.  Based on the pathology report, a lumpectomy was chosen as the best course of action. 

            “I cannot say enough good things about the wonderful people at MTMC,” Betty said.  “Everyone, from my surgeon to the nurses to the techs, everyone I encountered was so sincere and caring.  It was a positive experience.  And having the Nurse Navigator from MTMC guide me through the post-op period and make herself available to me to answer my myriad of questions was invaluable.  It was another wonderful, positive service offered by MTMC.”

            Even though there was no evidence the cancer had spread, Betty was referred to oncologist Dr. John Barton for consultation.  Based on the outcome of the Oncotype DX test, a test that determines the risk of reoccurrence, Dr. Barton did not recommend chemotherapy. 

            As a second precaution, Betty also was referred to radiation oncologist Dr. Charles Wendt, and again, she received positive news: no radiation required. 

            Regular follow-ups with her physicians and ongoing diagnostic mammograms will be a way of life for Betty from now on, but she feels that’s a small price to pay. 

            “I feel so blessed to have such wonderful physicians caring for me and to have a place like MTMC.  This community is blessed to have these wonderful resources available to us right here at home,” Betty said. 

            Today, Betty is cancer-free but her message resounds loud and clear, “Don’t put off having that mammogram.  It could save your life.”

More about Wine Around the Square

            In addition to the progressive wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres and live music throughout the evening, local artist and breast cancer survivor Caryl Witt is chairing an art show featuring selections from 10 regional artists for viewing in the Pinnacle lobby. Thirty percent of the proceeds of these art sales will benefit the 2012 Power of Pink WATS.

            Guests will taste a variety of different wines inside approximately 20 downtown shops, attorneys’ offices and boutiques throughout the central portion of the Square.  Each tasting station will be staffed with volunteers who will describe and pour wine as well as offer a water rinse of the wine glasses before visitors proceed to the next station. Live music will be playing at multiple outdoor venues throughout the evening.

            Corporate levels of giving are designated on the Power of Pink Web site at mtmc.org/powerofpink.  Corporate donations more than doubled in 2011, and committee members once again will offer this opportunity through a letter mailed to area leaders, businesses and industries July 10.  For more information, please contact Anne Davis at 615.396.4809 or via email at anne.davis@mtmc.org.

            Wine Around the Square will proceed rain or shine.  To ensure a safe ride home, event organizers will alert local cab companies to make cabs available in a central location for those guests who prefer to take a cab home at the end of the evening. 

            Tickets are available online at mtmc.org/powerofpink for $75 per ticket.  The ticket price at the door will be $85 if any tickets remain the day of the event.

            Media sponsors include The Daily News Journal, The Murfreesboro Post, WGNS Radio, Nashville-area Clear Channel radio stations, Murfreesboro Magazine, HobNob Murfreesboro and VIP Murfreesboro.