Healthy Living Newsletter
Celebrating Life!
Mercy Pink Ribbon Ladies' Day Supports Those in Need
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| Donning the Pink Ribbon Pandora bracelet she won at the Mercy
Pink Ribbon Golf Outing in late June 2008, Jane Malcolm of Clyde Township shares her
story of the importance of breast cancer screening while sitting next to a "glamour shot"
she and her twin sister Joan Campbell of Marysville took prior to Joan's death in July 2004.
Winning the raffle grand prize bracelet at the event was proof positive to Jane that Joan is with her always. |
Celebrating 13 years of providing educational resources, information and an opportunity to support local women in need, Mercy Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce that it raised more than $17,000 during Mercy Pink Ribbon Ladies' Day, held in late June at Fore Lakes Golf Club.
More than 140 women came out in support of the annual nine-hole golf scramble that raises funds to provide advanced breast cancer diagnostic services for those women in the community who lack health insurance and the financial resources to pay for their care.
Although not a golfer, Jane Malcolm, of Clyde Township, attended the event's luncheon to give back to other women facing a breast cancer challenge.
Jane was recently laid-off from her job that provided health insurance and turned to the Mercy Regional Cancer Center to obtain her annual mammogram during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2007.
"I have dense breasts and I understand the need for annual screening," comments Jane. "My twin sister Joan Campbell of Marysville, passed away from breast cancer four years ago. October is our birthday month, so combining my annual screening with the celebration of our birth is the way in which I honor Joan's memory."
Since Jane lost her health benefits, she has turned to Mercy's annual Reduced-Cost Mammography Services to obtain her needed screening. "In addition," explains Jane. "I have a screening breast ultrasound and the Mercy Pink Ribbon Fund picks up the cost of this important test. I don't know what I'd do without this service. It's so important for women like me."
Jane, who has been attending classes to obtain a degree in medical billing and coding, is looking forward to having a job with health benefits again in the near future. "I'm almost done with my classes," says Jane, who will be 51 years of age in October. "I hope to use my life-long career in billing and apply it to work in the healthcare industry." Jane will graduate in about six months.
Giving Back
In June, Jane planned a home party selling purses to her friends
and family. "A friend of mine has a purse business and asked
me to host a party. I told her I would do it, if all the proceeds
from the party could go to the Mercy Pink Ribbon Fund," explains
Jane. "I just thought it was the right thing to do." Jane's
party was a great success and when she contacted the Mercy
Hospital Foundation to make her $363 contribution; she was
invited to attend the annual Pink Ribbon Golf Outing. "I don't
play golf," explains Jane, "but I thought I'd attend the luncheon
to support this community project. I had a wonderful time.
Everyone at the event was so enjoyable and the atmosphere
was incredibly friendly. "I also think Joan was with me the
entire time I was at the event," continues Jane. "I just felt
her presence."
The Irony of Luck
During the luncheon, Jane purchased a few raffle tickets for
a Pink Ribbon Pandora bracelet, donated by Lawrence Jewelers.
"I couldn't believe it when they called out my raffle ticket
number," explains Jane. "It was truly a sign from Joan that
I was in the right place at the right time." "Jane is not
unlike the other women who attend this annual and ever-popular
event," comments Wendy Palmateer, of Golf Country, and Chair
of the Mercy Pink Ribbon Ladies' Day Committee. "We are so
fortunate to have such incredible support. This year, we were
able to raise more funding than last year, which is a real
testament to the community's commitment to this event considering
our current economic climate. I want to thank everyone, including
our women's product vendors who continue to value the Mercy
Pink Ribbon Fund." Now that the 2008 golf outing is over,
women in the community who need advanced breast cancer diagnostics
can utilize the fund to receive needed services. The Mercy
Regional Cancer Center is also making plans for its annual
Reduced-Cost Mammography program slated for October 2008.
Look for more details in the coming months. "I know I'll be
calling Mercy to obtain my appointment again this year," concludes
Jane. "This is a terrific community service.
Thanks To Our Sponsors
 Mercy
Foundation and Pink Ribbon Ladies's Day Committee extends
thanks and appreciation to the following 2008 Mercy Pink
Ribbon sponsors:
- Citizen's First Foundation
- Peter & Anne Karadjoff
- Mercy Auxillary Volunteer Organization (MAVO)
- Women's Life Insurance Society
- WGRT Radio
- Norton's Portraits of Distinction
- Blue Water Oncology, PC
- Cargill Salt
To find out more about the Mercy Pink Ribbon Fund or giving opportunities, please contact the Mercy Hospital Foundation (810)985-1675, or visit the
Mercy Hospital Foundation section of this website |
