For many, October represents a month of strength and survival. Students who are looking to support a cause or volunteer with a charity can find a local opportunity within The Pink Lemonade Project. Throughout the month, survivors and supporters came together to bring attention to breast cancer.
The Pink Lemonade project is a local organization, headquartered in Vancouver with a mission “To educate, empower and support those affected by breast cancer,” and have been doing so since 2010. Pink Lemonade Project functions in Clark County, Wash. and Portland, Ore.
The project began with two local physicians, Drs Allen and Cassie Gabriel, who saw more to breast cancer treatment than the physical, recognizing that it also requires emotional treatment. Judy Welch and Sherry Stose, two dedicated volunteers of the Pink Lemonade Project, are both breast cancer survivors who met at McCord’s Vancouver Toyota on Oct. 8 to support the cause and raise awareness.
Waste Connections of Clark County supports the Pink Lemonade Project with pink recycling bins. The bins cost $100 and all of the proceeds go to the project, funding support therapy (amongst other things) such as retreats for survivors.
When asked what being a survivor meant to her, Welch said, “You’re so caught up in getting through the diagnosis and figuring out all the specifics of your own cancer and the disease and then what to do that you’re just in this fog for a long time.” She continued, “It’s a whole new world that opens up to you. To be a survivor is, you’ve experienced it, you try not to let it be your focus of your life, but you really want to help other women through that.”
Stose said “I think when you’re a survivor, your focus isn’t breast cancer. Your focus is life.”
She explained that although breast cancer is an awful experience, it has had a positive impact on her life. Stose added that since being diagnosed, she has a greater appreciation for life, can enjoy the little things and has made life-long friends.
“Even having a cold is okay! I mean, I’m here to experience it!” Stose said, as she snuffled through her head-cold, something she said she has come to appreciate since her cancer recovery.
According to Stose, Pink Lemonade Project helps make it possible for those affected by breast cancer to move forward, “to be a survivor, not a victim.”
Welch and Stose said to anyone affected by breast cancer, “Seek out support.” Stose added, “If there’s something that worries you, consult your doctor. Don’t be afraid, as silly as you think something is – you need to have it checked out.”
Welch encouraged seeking help well before the diagnosis.
“A lot of women come into the office that let it go a long time and now it’s really serious. They’ve had that lump for a while, but they were too afraid to come in,” Welch said. For students looking to support the breast cancer awareness cause, Stose and Welch encouraged being aware and consulting a doctor with any concerns, no matter how minor.
“Spread the word about support groups – how important those things are. The mind and body can’t be separated. If you’re mentally and emotionally healthy and have these people they can help you get through this,” Stose said. “Spread the awareness and take away the fear,” added Welch.
Welch smiled in agreement when Stose said, “There is life after breast cancer.”
Anna Nelson is the Editor in Chief for the VanCougar. She is a senior and is studying strategic communications.