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Walk raises awareness, supports survivors 11/1/2007 By BONNY RUSHBROOK The Putnam Herald Online Story: Click Here HURRICANE -- "Hope Starts with Me" was the theme of the day, Saturday, Oct. 27, as 126 men, women, and children stepped forward to Walk Against Breast Cancer at Valley Park in Hurricane. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, it was the culmination of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Gray skies and cool temperatures could not dampen the spirits of 26 women of all ages, wearing pink T-shirts as they stood together announcing they were survivors of breast cancer. Those who came in support of the survivors wore white T-shirts. Some, such as Sandy Rigsby, a two-year survivor, said because of the help of supporters, the pink ribbon will one day be retired -- and one day our grandchildren and great-grandchildren won't know what the ribbon stands for. Reading statistics such as one out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, each speaker spoke eloquently of her experience and encouraged each person to take preventative measures because early detection is the key. They reiterated the fact that women should start at an early age to do breast self-exams, and after 40 get mammograms every year. They said it takes the support of the community to stop breast cancer, and then thanked all the sponsors of the walk. Karen Pruitt, office manager for Dr. Jane Kurucz, a general surgeon specializing in Breast Disease, spoke for Kurucz, who was attending a conference in Florida. She said Kurucz sent her warm congratulations to all the survivors. "It is warm inside because there is hope -- there is courage," Pruitt said. Later, Pruitt talked about Kurucz's concern for anyone with breast cancer. "They can come into the office scared to death, and by the time they leave, they know she will do everything she can," she said. "She will take all the time an individual needs. She will get a game plan going and they go with it," she said. Pruitt said she really admires Kurucz because she constantly does research and tries to stay ahead on new treatments and findings. "I have never seen a doctor do as much research as she does," Pruitt said. "She feels like it is a calling." She said Kurucz encourages all women to get screenings and mammograms. While some walked, others sat at a shelter and talked about their own experiences. Alice Hager of Hurricane said a mammogram saved her life. "The doctor said I needed to get an exam (because she hadn't had one for awhile). To get him off my back, I went," she said. "The mammogram showed a small lump, and the doctor said I needed to get that taken care of as soon as possible," she said. She was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. She said she felt numb. "When you go through something like that you can't even think," she said. She decided to leave it in the hands of the Lord, and then got in fighting mode by going to the David Lee Cancer Center. Today, she is doing well. She said support from her two daughters and husband, Johnny, was invaluable. "He took me to every radiation treatment," she said. He was also with her on Saturday. Hager also encourages early breast examinations and of course getting the mammogram. "Frankly, I think it saved my life," she said. After survivors received their gifts, gifts for other supporters were handed out. One young lady who received something special was Elizabeth Stoufis, 8 years old, from Hurricane Town Elementary. As a project for her Girl Scout Troop 4480, she and other scouts collected hats for the people who had lost their hair because of cancer. "I put up a box at school. I sent home a sheet from school with a message for the times and places where they could donate," she said. They got 41 hats and caps. She feels pretty good about that. "I felt very, very good. I know that people who lost their hair will be happy when they get their hat," she said. Stoufis said they collected hats, caps, scarves, and turbans. "I really liked some of them," she said. The Girl Scouts were not the only ones showing support that day. Contributing their time were representatives from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Charleston, who helped serve hot potato soup and chili following the walk, according to Tosin Oyelowo. "We wanted to help out the community," she said. The American Cancer Society offers a 24-hour cancer hotline (1-800-ACS-2345) where people fighting cancer can turn to any time, day or night. Among many other things they do, they advocate for public policies that provide all women access to mammograms and breast cancer treatment, regardless of income. They have a breast cancer support group that meets the Fourth Monday of each month at CAMC Teays Valley from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sponsors for the walk were the following: Old Colony/Ava Crum; Putnam County Bank; Creative Images; Gatens Harding Funeral Home; Bill J. Crouch and Associates; Ernest Paul's Sand and Gravel; Tri-State Family; Jane A. Kurucz, M.D.; Suddenlink; Old Colony Realtors; Mediamakers; Teays River Quilts; Four Seasons Hair Salon; Benefit Assistance and the Putnam Herald. |