Every candle had a name Tuesday at the 11th annual Breast Cancer Candlelight Vigil at the Pittsburg State University Lake.
“I want you to remember tonight those who are fighting this disease, and those who have lost,” said Stephanie M. Thompson, Southeast Kansas regional nurse for Early Detection Works.
Rhonda Justice, president of HOPE 4 You Breast Cancer Foundation, served as mistress of ceremonies. She said that the battle against the disease is very personal to her.
“My mother is a two-time breast cancer survivor, and I lost my father to lung cancer,” Justice said. “The first time my mother had cancer was in 2000, and she called and told me while I was at work at a TV station in Arkansas. I ran out the back door screaming.”
She added that her mother is now in a Joplin, Mo., hospital for tests to see if she has developed cancer a third time.
“I would welcome all the prayers you can send along,” Justice said.
Guest speaker and entertainer was Candy Coburn, Nashville recording artist. Her song, “Pink Warrior,” about her grandmother’s battle against breast cancer, is the 2009-2011 theme song for Susan B. Komen for the Cure, and all profits from the song will go to the organization.
Breast cancer awareness was a special emphasis for the evening, particularly targeted toward younger women.
“We always emphasize awareness, but this year everything is stacked up right to impact younger women, especially with Candy,” said Kelly York of Early Detection Works.
Coburn urged her listeners, including younger ones, to be proactive about their health.
“In high school and college I’d never heard of breast self-exams in my life,” she said. “But next year it could be me, my sister or my mother with breast cancer.”
The vigil was made possible by the Early Detection Works Program, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Mid Kansas Affiliate, Philip Cedeño/Sek Surgical, Girard Medical Center and the Crawford County Health Department, with assistance from Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center, Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pittsburg State University and local news media.
PITTSBURG —
