The annual Pink-Out Party returns Friday, Oct. 16 at The Encore Lakeside Grill & Sky Bar, bringing together live music, auctions, and a night of pink in support of local cancer care and clinical research through Lake Regional Cancer Center.
New this year: Admission is free!
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the live auction beginning at 7, SoulRoot taking the stage at 8, and silent auction bidding closing at 8:15 p.m. A full dinner and drink menu will also be available.
Lake Regional Pink-Out Party 2026 — What To Know
When: Friday, Oct. 16, 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Where: The Encore
Attire: Pink!
Cost: Free
The evening will celebrate past and present cancer survivors, and guests are encouraged to dress in pink, with a prize for the best-dressed participants.
But beyond the party, the event is about awareness.
About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. For Dr. Shahid Waheed, M.D., FACP, who is board certified in medical oncology, that makes screening and education especially important.
"The main thing is awareness. We have to get the public made aware," Dr. Waheed said.
In rural areas, breast cancer screening rates can lag behind those in larger metropolitan areas, he said. Waheed generally recommends women begin mammogram screening at age 40, though those with a first-degree family history of breast cancer or certain genetic risks may need to begin earlier.
As a general guideline, he said women with a close family history may begin screening about 10 years before the age their relative was diagnosed. Women should talk with their physician about their individual risk and screening schedule.
Early detection can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment.
And women can access screening and cancer care close to home. Lake Regional offers mammography in Osage Beach and at its Lebanon campus, while the Cancer Center provides chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, genetic testing, social work, nutrition counseling, and palliative care.
"You can get all the care that you will get in a big city right here in the Lake of the Ozarks," Dr. Waheed said. "We strive very hard to make sure that we have comprehensive services here."
The Cancer Center is also an affiliate institution of Cancer Research for the Ozarks NCORP, part of the National Cancer Institute’s Community Oncology Research Program. That affiliation gives local patients access to more than 100 clinical research studies.
Through a partnership with the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks, eligible uninsured or underinsured women can also receive free breast cancer screening. BCFO provides vouchers to cover mammogram screening costs, which can be used at Lake Regional Imaging Center in Osage Beach or Lake Regional Radiology – Lebanon Campus.
Women can apply for a free screening mammogram voucher through BCFO. If approved, the voucher will be mailed to them.
The Pink-Out Party helps support Lake Regional’s local cancer care and clinical research while giving the community a chance to rally around patients and survivors.
“It is a very good cause, and the money stays local,” Dr. Waheed said.
Make plans to attend Friday and bid on items including vacation getaways, authentic memorabilia, and local favorites.
Admission is free, and the party begins at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at The Encore in Lake Ozark. The silent auction is already open, with bidding, donations, and sponsorship information available at pinkoutparty.givesmart.com.
