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Pink Ribbon Walk
raises funds for breast cancer awareness
By Jordan Cohen
WARREN
Breast cancer is devastating and potentially life-threatening, but on the grounds of Trumbull Memorial Hospital Saturday morning, about 150 walkers and runners offered a message of hope: It can be beaten.
Patty Grolemund, 62, of Austintown, is living proof. She was among several breast-cancer survivors who showed up.
“I needed surgery, chemo and radiation, but I’m cancer-free for eight years,” she said.
Grolemund’s view comes from the inside. She was a TMH nurse for 40 years and had her cancer treatments there. “Those people at the center saved my life,” she said. “I’m walking in their honor and for the people whose lives they saved and tried to save.”
So did many others in the 11th Annual Pink Ribbon Run/Walk to benefit the Breast and Cervical Cancer Project. Entrants sported fluorescent green T-shirts emblazoned with the pink ribbon, the breast cancer symbol. Participants could choose to either walk or run 1 kilometer or 5 kilometers on the streets of Warren’s east side.
“All of the money we raise is earmarked for Trumbull County,” said Darla Habosky of Southington, the hospital’s lead radiation therapist. “[Our event] helps women over 40 with no insurance or low-income get free mammograms and pap smears.”
Pearl Gailey, who turns 70 next week, drove with her husband, a veteran of three Boston Marathons, from East Canton. She considers these events celebrations for good reason. Gailey has been free of breast cancer for 30 years.
“How fortunate I was to find it early,” she said as she recalled six months of chemotherapy, radiation
and surgery that cleared her body of cancer. Gailey said she no longer runs, but enjoys the long walks.
“It’s very healing, just you and God out there, and it solves a lot of problems,” she said.
Teresa Yeager, a breast-cancer survivor for nearly five years, brought a 13-member support team of family and friends. “I consider it a blessing to be here,” said the 63-year-old grandmother from Nelson, Ohio.
After her diagnosis in 2012, Yeager underwent a lumpectomy and “more than 30 treatments” that included radiation and chemotherapy.
“When I first saw survivors, it encouraged me, and now, I hope to encourage others who may have to go through this,” she said.
Paul Brady, her fiance, did more than walk alongside her. Brady sported a freshly colored pink beard courtesy of volunteers who were happy to color hair, beards and anything else pink for a $1 contribution.
“It shows a good purpose,” Brady said.
In addition to health vendors and fundraising bake sales, “Bras on the Bridge” proved to be eye-catching. The colorful bras adorn the hospital’s pedestrian bridge over East Market Street, but were prominently displayed near the first floor of the oncology center. Each bra is uniquely decorated with a message of breast cancer awareness. “Make cancer walk the plank,” said one with bright pictures of eye-patched pirates, while a black bra sporting gold-colored coins encouraged women to “treasure your chest.”
The bras will be returned to the bridge, which will be lit in pink through October for breast cancer awareness.