Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. It is about 30% of all new female cancers each year. In Bullitt County as well as Kentucky, Breast Cancer is the second leading cancer diagnosis behind Lung. (North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR), 2020; Kentucky Health Facts.org 2017).

Over the past 25 years, the Bullitt County Cooperative Extension Service has partnered with the Bullitt County Health Department and Kentucky Cancer Program to offer annual Think Pink events, celebrating breast cancer survivors and providing education about the risks of breast cancer and the importance of yearly screening.  

 Forest Giant "Little Nis" dressed for Think Pink Event at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

After the 2020 program was canceled due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Family & Consumer Sciences and Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agents at the Bullitt County Cooperative Extension Services were determined to host a program in 2021. The partner organizations decided an outdoor location would be best and invited Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest to join in the collaboration. Not only did outdoor programming make the event more COVID-safe, but according to Cornell University Cooperative Extension Service, studies show that forest bathing, or relaxing time spent in a forest, improves immunity by strengthening and improving the immune system and NK cells. These cells target infections, viruses, and even cancer cells! Other benefits include reduced blood pressure, stress levels, heart rate, and dopamine and cortisol levels.

Bernheim Forest hosts three huge sculptures crafted by Danish artist, Thomas Dambo from regionally sourced recycled wood in an art installation called Forest Giants in a Giant Forest. Each of the three forest giants, decked out in “Think Pink” gear, served as the backdrop for an educational stop on a two-mile walking trail. With these outdoor stations located across the arboretum, the event allowed for social distancing meanwhile encouraging physical activity, forest bathing, interaction with the outdoor art installations, self-paced participation, family fun, constructive grieving, healthy living, and even literacy.  

Over 148 individuals and families from 7 counties attended the event in the new location. Families enjoyed free admission to the arboretum and art exhibit, a group photo-op station on Lake Nevin, three educational booths hosted by each partner organization, and a StoryWalk®. The StoryWalk® featured a walking trail with the children’s book Cancer Hates Kisses divided into an interactive, family-friendly reading experience. Based on comments during the event and in a follow-up survey, about 10% of the participants reported plans to use the book to explain their breast cancer to their children and grandchildren as well as plans to suggest the book to others who were dealing with breast cancer. 

100% of the individuals surveyed reported additional positive outcomes including positive time spent with their families, a safe break from staying at home during COVID lockdowns, a return to regularly scheduled programming, and a relaxing day in the forest.