DUBOIS – Who is a breast cancer survivor?
Everyone is welcome to see as the 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania photo exhibit as it visits DuBois Regional Medical Center Sept. 27 through Oct. 7. It will be in the atrium of DRMC’s West Unit along Hospital Avenue in DuBois.
The photo displays are a work of art featuring at least one woman from each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties with their messages about how breast cancer has touched their lives.
“The women reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania, and their stories reflect the impact of breast cancer on themselves, their families and their communities. The exhibit encourages women to learn about early detection and celebrates life, courage, hope and dignity of women and families who have battled breast cancer,” according to the display sponsor, the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.
“When you look at the photos of these women, you see the emotions reflected in the faces of their husbands, children, relatives and friends,” Pat Halpin-Murphy, president and founder of the coalition, said.
“When you read the accompanying quotes, you learn how they have found the courage to deal with breast cancer and hope to live beyond the limits of their illness,” she said.
The exhibit has a three-part mission. It is to educate and inspire people to take personal and political action, to empower and alleviate fear, and to motivate women into action to help find a cure.
Pennsylvania has the fifth-highest rate of breast cancer in the United States with approximately 11,000 women in Pennsylvania diagnosed each year with breast cancer, according to the coalition and the state Department of Health which funds the exhibit.
Breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer deaths in Pennsylvania in women between the ages of 25-54, and three of four cases of breast cancer arise in women with no known risk factors.
“Please take from this exhibit the resolve to join the campaign to find a cure for breast cancer now…so your daughters won’t have to,” Halpin-Murphy said.
“We are honored to have the 67 Women, 67 Counties exhibit displayed at DRMC and to share it with everyone in the community,” Raymond A. Graeca, president of DRMC, said.
“The women and stories depicted in the exhibit show that breast cancer can affect anyone. They are a reminder that education and early prevention are something everyone must consider, and both are strongly encouraged by all of us at DRMC,” Graeca said.
To celebrate the arrival of the display, DRMC is hosting a reception at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Everyone is welcome, especially breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. To RSVP, call 800-377-8828 ext. 303 before Sept. 20.
The exhibit is open to visit free of charge at DRMC daily in the atrium.
The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition was founded in 1993 and is a non-profit organization based in Ephrata. It is the only statewide-grassroots organization for breast cancer survivors. Its mission is to find a cure and to improve the quality of breast cancer education, research and outreach in the state.
For more information on the coalition, call 800-377-8828 or visit their Web site.