Community Rally to Help Breast Cancer Patients
Communities across northern Michigan are rallying together to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer. In Manistee they are painting the town pink!
In tonight's Buddy Check report we meet a woman who knows the power of community support first hand.
Working in healthcare doesn't insulate you from the pain of bad news. Just ask Carol Miehlke.
She says, "She had the results with her and I totally lost it as she told me what she had found. It's devastation. Believe me. I cried so hard that day."
The wife and mother of two learned she had stage one breast cancer when she was at work, and it was also her co-workers at West Shore Medical Center who also played a big role in her recovery.
Miehlke says, "It's awesome. This hospital is the greatest hospital to work in. I have the greatest support system."
Even with a lot of support, some things are still uncomfortable, like a breast biopsy. But a specialized designed chair could help.
Radiographer Jan Maki says, "There's always discomfort but it should eliminate a lot of the discomfort and the fear patients have."
Donations from this year's Paint the Town Pink in Manistee event will go toward a new biopsy chair for West Shore Medical Center.
Maki says, "the hospital is going forward and we can be very fortunate that being in a rural area that we have these capabilities and hospital is supporting the community."
Hundreds of people from the community will support the event themed "fight like a girl." A fight that is very personal for Carol and Jan.
Maki says, "Fighting like a girl has a special meaning for us because we've all been hit in our department by people who have breast cancer. We're very encouraged and wanting the whole community to come out and support this."
Miehlke says, "I have participated every year and I will continue to walk as long as I am here."
The Paint the Town Pink event is Thursday October 14th in Manistee.
The sign in and social runs from 4-5pm. The celebration of life begins at 5pm followed by the ribbon walk.
Donations will help West Shore Medical Center buy a mammography biopsy chair.
For more information call 231-398-1472.
