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News & Events Calendar of Events |
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Local Group Donates to Monongahela Valley Regional Cancer Center
New Eagle resident Kathy Cameron, a breast-cancer survivor treated at Monongahela Valley Hospital, was so grateful for the care she received there that she created a local fundraiser and plans to continue it annually. Cameron encouraged the Monessen Volunteer Fire Department #1 and its auxiliary to host cancer awareness events in October and donate the proceeds to support MVH’s Charles L. and Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center. Representing the fire department and its auxiliary, Cameron and her two best friends Auxiliary President Linda Palmer and Auxiliary Secretary Karen Marinos, presented the $758 check to MVH Radiation Oncology department members recently. Cameron learned she had breast cancer in 2009 and after three surgeries, still sees MVH staff for regular follow-ups. “I was there every day for six weeks for radiation and we’re like a family now; they treat you like family,” Cameron said, getting emotional when she saw her Radiation Therapist Debbie Burkhardt at the check presentation. “I just love them; I love all of them. I feel like they saved my life. “After all that I’d been through, I said, ‘We should do something for breast cancer awareness and let it be here (at the firemen’s club),’” she said. But because so many auxiliary and volunteer fire department members and their families have been affected by cancer — Linda Palmer lost her husband John to lung cancer in 2011 — they broadened the event’s focus to general cancer awareness. “The club is not a typical place to hold a cancer awareness event, but we had a nice turnout and support from everyone,” said Ms. Marinos. “We could not have done this without the help of the firemen; they did so much for us.” At the event, the auxiliary sold pink merchandise including ribbons, fire hats, beads, cupcakes and cookies. The winner of the half-the-take tickets donated the money back to the fundraiser. One of Cameron’s physicians, Andrew J. Zahalsky, M.D., MVH Director of Medical Oncology, provided the group with educational cancer information to share at the event. “I am so impressed with the efforts of the Monessen Volunteer
Fire Department #1 Auxiliary to raise funds and awareness for Monongahela
Valley Hospital,” said Sara Schumacher, vice president of
the Office of Fund Development. “This event is a true act
of kindness and is an example of the genuine, caring people who
reside in our community.” |
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