I feel blessed to know so many brave women who have battled or are battling breast cancer with courage and determination.
I also know some who have died, but fought until the end.
It seems all of us know someone touched by this disease, which as we know, can strike men and women.
For Jodie Beutel, it hit close to home. The co-owner of Artistic Designs Hair Salon, lost her mother-in-law Cici to breast cancer in 2009.
Cici's diagnosis inspired her daughter-in-law to use her talents, to raise money for the Breast Cancer Coalition.
Each year, she holds a Cut-A-Thon for Breast Cancer at her salon on Alexander Street. And each year, she hopes for a cure, so she won't have to lose anyone else she knows to this disease. This year the even is being held Sunday, October 14th, from 11-4 at 275 Alexander Street.
There are so many others out there also reaching out in other ways to help breast cancer victims and survivors.
Lisa Cessna and five friends started "Embrace Your Sisters" while helping their friend, Chrisann Philipson, through her battle with breast cancer.
The friends realized that not only was Chrisann in need of emotional support during her treatment, she was facing financial struggles.
It's tough to pay the bills, when you are out of work, getting radiation or chemotherapy.
There are also medical bills, such as co-pays, which aren't covered and can add up for weekly treatments like chemotherapy and radiation.
Lisa says her group has helped 200 women with grants, so they could pay their heating bills and put food on the table. This allowed these patients to focus on their health and getting better.
For Chrisann, it took some of the financial worries away. She is now cancer-free after battling breast cancer twice.
Embrace Your Sisters raises all of its own money to help patients. They hold an annual fashion show and are now making pretty pink ornaments, which will be for sale during the holidays. Those ornaments cost $5.00 and will be available at the Granger House in Canandaigua between November 9 and December 9.
Another group that is helping with this fight is Cancer Services. They help pay for tests like mammograms, when women can't afford it.
The service doesn't get a lot of publicity, because they offer this help without expecting anything in return.
It has been a life saver for patients who had to choose between paying for a test, or paying their electric bill.
I am always inspired by people I meet who do such wonderful things for others. Nowhere have I found that happening more than with the support for Breast Cancer patients.
Go pink isn't just a catchy slogan. It is something these supporters believe in with all of their hearts.
Patrice Walsh, Reporter
