The Pink Palmetto Project is the South Carolina Cancer Alliance's breast and cervical cancer prevention initiative, developed to address persistent disparities affecting women across South Carolina. The program was intentionally designed to meet women where they are by partnering with trusted community spaces that foster connection, comfort, and open conversation.

At the heart of the initiative is a simple but powerful mission: To transform beauty salons across South Carolina into trusted community health touchpoints where beauty meets prevention, trusted voices spark lifesaving conversations, and women are empowered to take action against breast and cervical cancer.

Through this work, salon owners and stylists are trained as trusted community messengers and equipped with educational materials, conversation guides, and practical tools to engage clients in meaningful discussions about breast and cervical health. These conversations help encourage women to connect with healthcare providers, schedule recommended screenings, and take proactive steps toward early detection.

The overall goal of the Pink Palmetto Project is to increase awareness, education, and early detection of breast and cervical cancer by empowering salons and stylists to serve as trusted messengers within their communities.

Key Objectives

The Pink Palmetto Project focuses on five primary objectives:

-Increase Knowledge by strengthening understanding of breast and cervical cancer, prevention, and screening.
-Build Confidence and Skills so stylists can engage in natural, respectful health conversations.
-Increase Client Awareness by sharing educational resources and connecting women to local services.
-Promote Early Detection by encouraging women to schedule screenings and speak with healthcare providers.
-Strengthen Community Partnerships by building connections between salons, healthcare organizations, public health agencies, and local communities.

Growing Across South Carolina

The Pink Palmetto Project continues to expand its statewide reach and impact. The initiative currently partners with nine salons across eight South Carolina counties, including Anderson, Orangeburg, Darlington, Williamsburg, Barnwell, Dorchester, Charleston, and Fairfield.

Through these partnerships, the program is increasing access to trusted health information, fostering community engagement, and supporting efforts to improve health outcomes for women throughout the state.

Get Involved: Join the Movement

The South Carolina Cancer Alliance is excited to continue growing the Pink Palmetto Project and is currently accepting applications for the next phase of the program.

We invite salons across South Carolina to express interest in joining this initiative and becoming part of a statewide network of trusted messengers helping to save lives through education and early detection.

Women across the state are also encouraged to stay connected through the Women's Health Circle Lunch & Learns, held virtually on the third Wednesday of each month from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. These sessions provide a welcoming space for education, conversation, and support around important women's health topics.

If you are a salon owner interested in being considered for a future cohort, or if you would like to join our growing community of women committed to learning, sharing, and supporting one another, we encourage you to connect with us and be part of this important work.