Change Brings About Change in Madison County’s Fight Against Breast Cancer
January 18, 2010

Roberta Byerly (left), a volunteer at Madison County Hospital
and 22-year breast cancer survivor, stops by Schuler’s of London
to collect change from one of the breast cancer initiative
donation boxes. Pati Kunkle (right), manages Schuler’s, one
of the 29 businesses around Madison County that hosts either
a donation box or educational materials.

While out shopping in Madison County, you may have noticed a clear box with a pink sign full of coins on the counter. Or, you may have seen a pink brochure while visiting the local library.

For a little over a year, businesses have been supporting the Madison County Hospital Foundation’s breast cancer initiative by displaying donation boxes and educational materials. The items not only help raise money for the initiative, but also raise awareness about the importance of early detection.

“I’m really glad you have the boxes here and do what you do to heighten awareness,” said Pati Kunkle, manager of Schuler’s in London, who hosts breast cancer donation boxes and brochures.

At Schuler’s, Pati said that she has seen as many men as women donate their leftover change to the donation boxes and has even seen little girls pick up the pink brochures. Her employees have also gotten involved in the effort. Whenever they receive a tip from one of the customers, it goes straight into the box.

“Breast cancer has hit us close to home, so it’s a special effort here,” said Pati.

Roberta Byerly, a breast cancer survivor for 22 years, volunteers to collect the money and replenish the brochures at the locations around the county. While she’s there, she hears a lot of stories about how breast cancer has affected Madison County.

“Everyone is so friendly when I visit. I hear a lot of stories about family and friends who are dealing with cancer,” Roberta says. “I enjoy collecting the donations, and have built up a camaraderie with the business owners and employees.”

To date, the boxes have raised over $1,600 for the breast cancer initiative. Thanks to the support of the community, enough money has been raised to purchase digital mammography and stereotactic biopsy for the Battelle Breast Care Center. Digital mammography is advanced equipment that produces computerized digital images, which help physicians make the most accurate diagnoses. Its state-of-the-art design allows patients to experience more efficient and more comfortable exams.

The Madison County Hospital Foundation would like to thank all those in the community who have donated to one of the breast cancer donation boxes or have taken a brochure to help spread awareness.

Though there has been much support for the breast cancer initiative, the fight is not over. Madison County women still have an extremely high rate of late stage breast cancer diagnosis, which means patients are not being diagnosed with breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage.

So far, $1.4 million of a $2 million fundraising goal has been raised to improve diagnostic and treatment services, and educate women in this area about the importance of early detection. Ongoing funding to the breast cancer initiative will help the foundation established an endowment fund to assist breast cancer patients who are uninsured and cannot afford their care.

“We encourage everyone in Madison County to participate in this important effort,” said Mona Flax, Executive Director of the Madison County Hospital Foundation. “Though it may be a small donation, it continues to make a big difference.”

For more information about the Madison County Hospital Foundation’s breast cancer initiative, call 740-845-5050.

Thanks to all the businesses that displays donation boxes and awareness brochures!

Current donation box locations:

In London:
Advance Auto Parts
Advantage Bank
Carter Lumber
Dwyer’s Chiropractic
Dwyer’s Hardware
Ernie’s Medicine Shoppe
Fine Designs
Mabe’s Clothing and Athletic Apparel
Madison Pediatrics, Inc.
Marathon Gas at Choctaw Lake
Merchant’s Bank
O’Connor’s Office Products
Phat Daddy’s Pizza & Subs
Ronetti’s
Schuler’s
Sherwin Williams

In Mount Sterling:
Sterling Pharmacy

In West Jefferson:
Ann & Tony’s Restaurant
The Abbey Gift Shop
Flyers Pizza

Current brochure locations:

In London:
Curves
Edward Jones
First Merit Bank
Gabrielle’s of London Hair Salon
London Public Library
Madison Press
Madison County Senior Center
Wilson Printing and Graphics

In West Jefferson:
Huntington Bank