Sentara Martha Jefferson HealthWise: Martha's Market
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Martha's Market, an event organized by Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital benefiting women's health and the fight against breast cancer in the community, will be held on Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dairy Market.
The free, annual community event, put on by the Women's Committee, is dedicated to raising awareness and funds about women's health.
"It's all about shopping with a purpose," said Alexa Osborne, director of consumer experience for Sentara Health Systems.
The funds raised will stay in Central Virginia.
"Martha's Market, all of the funds stay 100 percent local, and it goes directly to uninsured and underinsured women in our community, so in addition to providing free health screenings, we can also provide free hats, wigs, scarves, prosthetics, things of that nature, for those women that are in the fight against cancer," Osborne said.
Vendors will be offering goods from a variety of sectors, including home decor, fashion, and art spaces. Many come out to support the cause year after year.
"We're really fortunate to have a whole host of gracious vendors that donate 15 percent of their sales that day back to the cause, so 50 vendors, 13 Dairy Market businesses, and over 10 downtown businesses, so we're excited for a really great event this year and we couldn't do it without them," she said.
The Women's Committee has raised more than $6 million over the last 30 years for women's health programs at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital through events like Martha's Market.
Volunteers are key to making the event what it is.
"When you volunteer or sponsor the event, you're really giving your time, and your energy and/or funds to really make the event a great success, but ultimately it really is about that purpose and you are really contributing directly to those lifesaving programs that we are able to offer," said Osborne.
To learn more about Martha's Market, click here.