Pink Ribbon Tea honors 2 founders

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SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR Committee members for the Junior League of Youngstown's Pink Ribbon Tea follow: From left to right in the first row are Linda Sisek, Nancy Beeghly, Sherry McKelvey, Gretchen Backus and Marilyn Conti. In the second row are Carla Fields, Susan Stewart, Pam Griffith Nock, Betsy Slagle and Cheryl McArthur. In the third row are Pat Greene, Gretchen Bradley, Judy Wexler, Judy Robinson, Kathy Wolsonovich, President Kelly Kiraly, Carol Gubany and Co-chair Suzanne Fleming. Other members are Co-chair Barbara Banks, Kera A. Thompson, Leah Wilson, Jacki Bibo, Janice Fagert, Michelle Grant, Linda Russell and Honorary Chairwoman Caryn Covelli.

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Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

This year the 20th Anniversary Committee of the Junior League of Youngstown’s Pink Ribbon Tea honored the dedication of the event’s founders, Annette Camacci and Sue Berny.

The event took place Aug. 25 at Stambaugh Auditorium.

Twenty years ago, Berny, of Boardman, wanted to help women in their struggle against breast cancer.

She requested a small grant from JLY to begin the Pink Ribbon Tea and help to save lives through early detection.

A sustaining member of JLY, Berny worked with the Susan G. Komen Foundation in 1994.

She said that 50 survivors attended the tea that year.

Since then, the tea has touched more than 6,000 women.

In 1997, JLY member Camacci stepped up to co-chair the tea, and a partnership was born. Camacci, of Poland, has led the committee of JLY sustaining members since the tea’s early years.

A cancer survivor herself, Camacci says the tea is like a personal gift to her and she remembers all the women she has met over the years.

Through the two decades since the tea began, it has provided an afternoon of support.

It is an inspiration and celebration of the survivors’ many successes in their fight against breast cancer.

As a tribute to the thousands of Mahoning Valley women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, the Junior League of Youngstown will continue working to fulfill the committee’s promise of awareness and advocacy on their behalf.

For information visit www.jlyoungstown.org or call 330-743-3200.