| By Barb McKown, Minnnie Hamilton Health Care Center
On Monday, October 2, 2006, a ceremony was held in front of the Calhoun County Courthouse to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Day. A pink ribbon wreath was hung on the front of the courthouse earlier in the day.
Sue Collins, CEOS began the meeting by welcoming everyone to the celebration. Featured speaker for the evening was Helen Morris (left) , breast cancer survivor.
Helen spoke of the range of emotions and experiences she lived with while battling cancer, including taking part in a clinical trial.
She offered several messages of hope, reciting verses of scripture that enabled her to face her battle with courage and determination.
In the end her message was to be proactive-take care of yourself-get the tests, get the treatments and get the cure.
Following Helen's speech, Calhoun County Commissioner Rick Sampson (right) read the proclamation declaring October 2, 2006 Breast Cancer Awareness Day and the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
After the proclamation, Barb McKown of Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center, Inc. gave a presentation on the Coleman and Katheryn Burrows Memorial Fund. All funds raised will go toward the purchase of mammography equipment at MHHCC.
The ceremony was ended with the lighting of candles
symbolizing all those who have experienced breast cancer
A prayer was led by Harriett Dial, WV Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program to remember those who are no longer with us and celebrate those who have survived breast cancer.
Thanks to advances in treatment and early detection, breast cancer death rates are fallingâbut the disease is still a major cause of death of American women. So, if you're a woman age 40 and up or have a family history of breast cancer, it's no time to skip your mammogram, which can find cancer early when treatments are most successful.
For more information on programs or assistance, please contact Barb McKown at 354-9244. A special thank you to Lutricia Valentine for putting the celebration together.
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