What’s happening at Augusta University? Week of Oct. 11-17

Stories this week include an ongoing fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a new book on murder and an effective way to battle a skin disease that affects millions.

Fun fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The staff at Augusta University Health’s Breast Health Center has developed a game to raise money to help women pay for mammograms.

“What we find is ladies who are underinsured or uninsured entirely sometimes have a hard time getting to their diagnosis because they can’t afford their diagnostic workup,” said Erin Chrisco, a nurse navigator in the Breast Health Center. The game Pinko, based off The Price Is Right’s Plinko game, gives people a chance to win prizes. Pinko will be set up around the Augusta University campus and in the community during the month of October.

Pamplin College dean authors a second book about murder

Dr. Kim Davies, dean of the Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, has authored The Murder Book: Understanding Homicide Today. “Murder captures our attention,” Davies said. “For a lot of people, I think it’s the idea of solving a mystery.”

Murder rose by almost 30% in 2020, but is rising at a slower rate in 2021, according to a recent article in The New York Times.

MCG researcher looks at new way to battle psoriasis

Patients with psoriasis have reported that glycerin is effective at combatting their psoriasis — and now scientists have objective evidence to support it.

Dr. Wendy Bollag, cell physiologist and skin researcher at the Medical College of Georgia and Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center and her colleagues reported that whether applied topically or ingested, glycerin helped calm the classic scaly, red, raised and itchy patches in their psoriasis model.

Bike ride to raise money for the Georgia Cancer Center

The annual Paceline bike ride is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16. There are 25-, 50-, and 100-mile routes with all three finishing at the Columbia County Amphitheater in Evans. The event raises money for the Georgia Cancer Center. The previous two rides raised over $326,000 for the Georgia Cancer Center. Paceline is a casual, fun bike ride.

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