Nevada City, Calif. July 24, 2017 – After this winter’s exceptional rain season, a full and beautifully blue Scotts Flat Lake will once again host a variety of female athletes participating in the 23rd Annual Barbara Schmidt Millar (BSM) Celebration of Life Triathlon and 5K Run/Walk.

The event is scheduled to take place at 9:00 a.m., Sept. 17 at the Scott’s Flat Lake boat ramp in the Cascade Shores community of Nevada City. Register at www.bsmtri.org by July 31 to take advantage of the special early bird rates.

Proceeds from this year’s .5 mile swim, 11 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run/walk will continue to provide mammograms to underserved women and will fund scholarships to female graduates of Nevada Union who are interested in pursuing a degree in healthcare. This year’s scholarship recipients are Taylor Bucher, McKenna Gallagher, McKenna Henzie and Ellie Nunnink.

In addition, the triathlon will also fund Dignity Health Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital’s Moonlight Mammogram program. The annual evening event takes place on select Thursdays from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. and features music, massages, appetizers, and of course, mammograms. Upcoming Moonlight Mammograms are scheduled to take place on Aug. 24, Sept. 21, Oct. 5 and Oct. 19. Please call (530) 274-6262 to make an appointment.

Longtime Nevada County resident and BSM Celebration of Life Triathlon and 5K Run/Walk Event Coordinator, Vanessa Hale, hopes the event will inspire, as well as educate.

“While encouraging women to get involved with our event, we are addressing many important aspects of their health,” said Hale. “The first is obvious- their fitness. Training for a triathlon, to be on a team, or doing the 5K takes time and effort. It gets women moving, exercising, and physically fit. When these women come together on race day, they feel supported, they’re encouraged, and gain confidence.”

“Another important aspect of BSM is that it raises awareness around breast cancer prevention and early detection,” Hale continued. “We are able to reach out to our participants and supporters through social media, emails, and at our event to debunk mammogram myths, educate them about breast health, and teach them that we have several local resources that will support them in getting their annual mammograms and being their own advocates. This year we are offering more incentives to get women to fundraise [see www.bsmtri.org]. We want to keep our Mammogram fund strong, so we are able to assist even more women in getting their check-ups and supportive procedures as needed. I look forward to seeing our event grow so our community can continue to focus efforts toward a healthy future. “

For more information, please call Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation at (530) 477-9700 or visit www.supportsierranevada.org. To register for the Barbara Schmidt Millar Celebration of Life Triathlon and 5K Run/Walk, please visit www.bsmtri.org.