Cancer education group recognizes survivors
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STEUBENVILLE -- Breast cancer survivors were recognized and visitors to the Fort Steuben Mall received health information at a cancer education nonprofit's cherished, annual event Wednesday.
The Women in Action Against Cancer Coalition of Jefferson County hosted its Ohio Mammography Day Wreath Ceremony, a tradition it has kept for over two decades. This year, 13 survivors stood, said their name and number of years as a survivor and received a gift. In addition, the coalition expanded the event this year, occupying part of the mall with an additional community resource fair.
Breast cancer survivors and other individuals gathered for the wreath ceremony, which was ushered in by a prayer from Sharon Kirtdoll.
"Lord, we thank you as we go into this program," Kirtdoll said. "Thank you for these women, who belong to (the WIAACC), who come together and work tirelessly to support the community and provide services for many."
Ten-year-old Mikayla Petric, a 4-H club member, sang the national anthem. Afterward, county Commissioner Eric Timmons gave a proclamation, and Steubenville Fifth Ward Councilman Willie Paul gave a resolution designating October 2023 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Oct. 20, 2023, as National Mammography Day in Jefferson County and the city of Steubenville respectively.
Next to speak was Kayla Campos, patient navigator and mammographer for Trinity Health System's Images Mammography Center. Campos listed statistics on breast cancer, including the "sobering" fact that one in eight women will develop breast cancer.
Additionally, Campos said, "Regular mammography screening increases the chance of detecting breast cancer early, which in general translates to less aggressive treatment and better outcomes."
Coalition member Ericka Guz shared about the WIAACC, which she said was founded in July 1994 as a response to the high incident and mortality rate of certain cancers. The grassroots coalition "focuses on increasing awareness, providing education and promoting early detection and prevention of cancer in Jefferson County."
Guz said the coalition, encouraging individuals to "take charge of their own health," also gives financial assistance to women to help them get breast and cervical screenings. Fundraising is done through grants, yard sales, donations, car shows and the coalition's banner project, to which a lost list of organizations and individuals have contributed.
Afterward, cancer survivor Sandy Rue told of her experience with breast cancer, which began in 2020. A yearly mammogram at Trinity led to an "unexpected journey," eventually leading to her being diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, which is the presence of abnormal cells in the breast's milk duct. A senior Olympian who tries to stay healthy, Rue said she was shocked by the news and felt as if she was in a "tornado" of confusion.
Rue said that after more consultations, one with a particularly heroic doctor, she was told she needed to have her breast removed due to the early-stage cancer being so widespread. "After much thought and prayer," Rue went forward with the surgery. One day later, she returned home cancer-free.
"When I first received my diagnosis, I asked, 'Why me?'" Rue said. "God, in his infinite wisdom, has answered my question. I have been ordained to tell my story, ... and I will continue to do so while I still have breath in my lungs."
Before the wreath ceremony, coalition member Patti Mannarino monitored a table for the coalition, taking donations and recruiting new members. Speaking on why she joined the coalition, Mannarino said, "I just wanted to spread the word that we need to all be aware of breast cancer and what it can do to us and (that) there are organizations out there that can help."
Mannarino stressed the need for new members, particularly younger generations. Interested individuals can call the Women in Action Against Cancer Coalition at (740) 632-1144 or visit its Facebook page of the same name.
Coalition co-chair Leslie Aftanas said the coalition meets every first Tuesday of each month at the Ohio State University Extension Office in the Tower building. Also, co-chair Janet Sharpe said the coalition will be hosting a meeting and Christmas party on Dec. 6 at Scaffidi's Restaurant and Tavern.
Nursing students from Eastern Gateway Community College offered blood pressure checks, blood glucose monitoring and education on health topics from heat stroke to fibromyalgia.
Mary Lou Jones had her blood pressure checked and said the coalition's exposition was "fabulous." Jones, who said she has blood pressure issues, stressed the importance of individuals taking their medications and undergoing routine health checks.
Representatives from the Jefferson County General Health District gave flu shots and promoted its community diaper bank. Nearby, individuals advertised the Ohio Valley Health Center, which serves those without insurance or who are underinsured, as well as its Diversity Health Initiative, which promotes breast cancer prevention for women.
Coleman Murray and Madison Justice of the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center brought with them a giant inflatable colon, labeled with various colon diseases, that individuals could tour through with guidance from Toronto High School advanced anatomy students. The students were recruited to help by Angie Allison and the OSU 4-H Extension Office of Jefferson County.
Murray said the OSUCCC works with around 30 other Ohio counties to support their coalitions, bringing its inflatable colon as far as Northeast Ohio and Cincinnati.
Other health and care organizations included Valley Hospice, a nonprofit offering hospice and palliative care; CHANGE Inc., a nonprofit community action agency and health center serving Brooke, Hancock and Jefferson counties; Capital Health Care Network, which has home care and nursing/rehabilitation divisions; Alive Inc., a sexual assault and domestic violence shelter in Steubenville serving Jefferson County, and Trinity Health System's Images Center, which offers biopsies and diagnostic mammograms.
Also present was Our Place, a non-denominational senior activity center based out of First Westminster Presbyterian Church in Steubenville, and Urban Mission Ministries, a Christian nonprofit that runs food, housing and clothing programs.