Local business women were given the opportunity to pamper themselves with a variety of means on Wednesday during Belk’s Fit for the Cure event.

The event, held from 11 a.m to 7 p.m, ended with a visit from Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business group. At 5 p.m., these networking individuals met and enjoyed complimentary refreshments, mini-manicures, massages and hair touch-ups from Greystone Salon and Spa.

Fit for the Cure, held twice annually at the Salisbury Belk, is a fundraising effort for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The store donates $2 for every free bra fitting given the day of the endeavor, and Wacoal, a bra vendor, donates an additional $2 for select purchases of undergarments.

This charitable cause made the evening’s festivities a great backdrop for more than camaraderie, of course. Novant Health held a ribbon cutting for their new mobile mammogram unit as attendees met and mingled.

“We all know that women take care of their families and their children before they take care of themselves,” said Jill McNeely, breast health navigator at Novant Health, during the meeting. “We want to make it so women get that imaging. If they can take care of themselves, they can take care of their families.”

The new mobile mammography coach boasts a three-dimensional imaging machine. This technology allows professionals to catch certain cancers up to a year earlier than earlier, two-dimensional means.

Jessica Ijames, Novant Health manager, stressed the importance of early detection.

“The sooner you catch (breast cancer), the more likely it is you be able to recover,” she said.

Three-dimensional imaging for mammographies offers additional benefits beyond early detection. The screening process takes far shorter — a mere 16 seconds per pass — meaning discomfort during the test is drastically reduced.

Novant Health funded this new mobile mammography unit through a year-long campaign with their foundation. Funds started coming in with a Cannon Charitable Trust grant, with the remaining contributions coming from foundation donors, as well as their yearly “Giving. Serving. Together” campaign and Patrons’ Ball.

“We really feel like the community supports us and we support the community. We do our best to make sure that we give the community what they need,” said Ijames. ” We feel strongly that 3D mammography is saving lives.”