A Benson Esthetics girl’s night out, held in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, raised $1,250 for the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre.

Ticket sales from the event held at Benson Esthetics went directly to the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre’s equal access programme, which helps people with limited insurance or no insurance by covering any cancer screenings or treatments done at their facility.

“It was my goal this year to play a role in the equal access programme, no matter how small it may be,” Benson Esthetics chief executive officer Sasha Benson said.

“It is vital that people are aware of this programme. I share Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre's belief that everyone should have access to potentially life-saving early cancer screening and treatment.”

Using funds donated by the community the programme paid out $2.1 million last year to help 821 people get testing and treatment.

“In the past, we have done similar events for other organisations,” Ms Benson said. “But this year I felt a burning desire to get involved with breast cancer awareness month in October.”

Her grandmother, Phyllis Simmons, is a two-time breast-cancer survivor as well as a colon-cancer survivor.

“She is still fighting and is as strong as ever,” Ms Benson said.

Ms Simmons could not make it to the girl’s night out, but Ms Benson showed her footage the next day. Ms Simmons was very supportive.

“She said, `you know, I am a survivor’, and I said, `I know, grandma´,” Ms Benson said with a smile.

During the event, Azuree Williams, from the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, was on hand to talk with women about breast health, breast checks and the importance of regular mammograms.

The theme of the evening was Champagne and Charcuterie.

“We had an absolute blast!” Ms Benson said. “About 20 women came and they each paid $50 for a ticket.”

Ms Benson moved to her current location across from the Cavendish parking lot in Hamilton in June after sharing office space on The Lane in Paget for a year.

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www.bensonesthetics.com