How Art is Helping Women Battling Breast Cancer
It is the 4th of the month which means it's time to call your buddy as a reminder to do a self breast exam. It's also time for this month's Buddy Check report.
In a time of need, women lend a hand to those who need help.
Later this month a group of female artists will do that for women fighting cancer.
And one Northern Michigan woman says it is a God send.
"We found it, a lump on my clavicle, everybody could see it...."
Last fall Michelle Bernhardt learned the truth about the secret her body didn't want to keep. She had cancer: an aggressive stage 3c breast cancer that had spread and required aggressive treatment.
She says, "It pretty much kills a whole day then I go home and I am tired or wired."
For this 45 year old mother, fighting cancer was also draining her bank account. Then she learned of the Munson Women's Cancer Fund which helps women in the Grand Traverse Region, like Michelle who are fighting cancer help pay for everyday expenses, like utilities, childcare, rent and fuel.
She says, "With the price of gas these days the gas cards are a God send for getting back and forth to town for blood work and chemo on top of your regular grocery shopping and everything else. It does get very stressful."
It's a stress more women are facing.
Giving Specialist and Artist Ruth Bloomer says, "We have seen in the last 2-3 years a pretty large jump in the number of women seeking assistance with the turn in the economy that affected a lot of people. They may have lost their insurance, they may have lost jobs, the need seems to be greater out there."
The Women's Cancer Fund itself is getting help meeting that need.
150 female artists are showcasing their talents while raising money for the fund in the From Women's Hands exhibition.
Event Co-Chair Rosalyn Tyge says, "The two have come together just amazingly along with the support of the community. It's just awesome. It's just an incredible blend of power, and strength and celebration of life."
The show highlights writers, musicians, painters, sculptors and more. In some cases the artists themselves are cancer survivors and use the art as therapy.
Tyge I think it brings their passion. I think it brings their desire to live every moment, every second to live right there, not next week, not last week, but right there and they come out strong. These women have gone through amazing feats and they're here and they're here to stay."
While the inspiration is immeasurable, last year the event raised more than $38,000 for the Munson Women's Cancer Fund which helped Michelle and more than 100 others like her.
Michelle says, "I stress about everyday and its nice to know there are people to help. You just take it one day at a time, breathe and remember God has a plan for us and all you do what you got to do to survive."
The From Women's Hands Art show is April 29th through May first in Traverse City. Click here for more information about the event.
