Allentown Oncologist Steps Out in Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
Throughout October, Dr. Lori Alfonse, a surgical oncologist at Lehigh Valley topper Cancer Institute in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is demonstrating her support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in a uniquely colorful way. Dr. Alfonse is wearing a different pair of pink shoes each day of the month, a gesture that goes beyond a simple fashion statement.
The color pink has become synonymous with breast cancer advocacy,representing femininity,care,and solidarity. For Dr. Alfonse, the shoes represent something even more personal: her patients. “Each shoe has its own personality, its own shade, its own fabric and those are personality traits that are very similar too my patients,” she explained.
What began as a plan to acquire 31 pairs of pink shoes has blossomed into a collection exceeding 72 pairs. “So I can wear more than one in a day,” Dr. Alfonse noted with a smile, adding she also owns shoes of other colors.
Beyond the visual impact, dr. Alfonse aims to deliver a message of hope and resilience. “Breast cancer is not a death sentence. It is two words that represent many different types of cancers as individual as our personalities,” she stated. She emphasized the advancements in breast cancer treatment, noting that the “vast majority” of treatments are now both tolerable and successful, while acknowledging there is still work to be done.
Dr. Alfonse was seen sporting a light pink boot while seeing patients on Friday, and consistently uses the opportunity to remind them of the critical importance of regular mammograms for early detection. Her patients eagerly anticipate her daily “pink shoe show,” finding it a special and uplifting connection during their appointments.
The initiative holds a deeply personal meaning for Dr. Alfonse,as her mother,grandmother,and great-grandmother all battled breast cancer. Her commitment to her patients, and her family history, fuel her dedication to raising awareness and providing compassionate care.
