FORT MYERS, Fla. - TelAve -- The 2026 Purple Tea breast health symposium attracted nearly 400 women for an afternoon of learning, laughter and life-changing conversations.

The annual symposium, held Feb. 12 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers, featured accomplished physicians, surgeons and oncology specialists who empowered Southwest Florida women with critical information about breast health, including prevention, screening and treatment of breast cancer. Women in attendance represented a variety of ages, ethnicities and backgrounds, an intentionally diverse audience aimed at building solidarity in a supportive, inspiring environment. Each attendee was asked to connect with 10 women in the community – family members, friends, coworkers or neighbors – and encourage them to schedule their breast screenings or seek resources from one of the many nonprofit organizations offering support for women and their families.

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"If you can just touch 10 people, connect them with resources, connect them with someone else that is going through what they're going through, we can eliminate and beat this together," said Purple Tea Honorary Chair Karen Watson, a community leader, social worker and breast cancer advocate who co-founded Impact Dunbar, a fund at Collaboratory in Fort Myers supporting programs benefiting women and girls in the Dunbar community.

This year, presenters addressed the latest advancements in breast cancer treatment, including proton therapy, surgical innovations, immunotherapy and the growing role of artificial intelligence in cancer care. Purple Tea included a health fair with breast health providers, physicians and nonprofit organizations.

Presenters for 2026 included Dr. Shannon MacDonald, senior medical director at Southwest Florida Proton; Dr. Alan Brown, a radiation oncologist at Advocate Radiation Oncology; Dr. Natalia Spinelli, a breast surgical oncologist at Precision Healthcare Specialists; Dr. Janine Harewood, a Lee Health physician and patient advocate; and Dr. Faithlore Gardner, a medical oncologist with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute.

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Gerri Ware served as event chair for Purple Tea. Sponsors included Advocate Radiation Oncology, Lee Health Cancer Institute, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute and Fort Myers Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Vendors participating in Purple Tea's health fair included Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Lee Health Cancer Institute, Advocate Radiation Oncology, Cancer Alliance Network, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, American Cancer Society, Precision Healthcare Specialists, A New Dawn and Delta Sigma Theta.

About Advocate Radiation Oncology

Advocate Radiation Oncology's mission is to provide compassionate health care expertise to cancer patients. The practice's world-class, board-certified radiation oncologists and researchers trained at some of the nation's top medical schools and use industry-leading technology to treat patients with breast, prostate, lung, brain, head and neck, rectal, liver, bone, cervical and other types of cancers. For more information, please visit AdvocateRO.com.