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'Stitch-A-Thon' helps BCHS breast cancer patients

(L-R) Kelly Keating, owner of the Flying Stitch, a local business that specializes in cross-stitching supplies, presents a check for $2,300 to Donna Shouldice, Battle Creek Health System cancer care nurse and Diane Olian, BCHS outpatient registration and coordinator of the Breast Cancer Survivor Group. Monies raised from the successful fund raising event are going toward the purchase of Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book for BCHS patients diagnosed with breast cancer as well as toward a fund for breast cancer patients who cannot afford their medications, wigs, and prostheses; the American Cancer Society; and the Susan B. Komen fund.

There is a saying that goes 'Sewing mends the soul.' In this case, sewing goes far beyond that when it is used to raise support for breast cancer programs at Battle Creek Health System.

Stitchers and non-stitchers gathered recently for the eighth annual Breast Cancer Stitch-A-Thon to raise not only money, but also awareness about breast cancer. And at the end of the day, they collected over $2,700 for breast cancer patients.

"Over half of those funds stay in Battle Creek and are used to purchase Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book, or will go toward a fund for breast cancer patients who cannot afford their medications, wigs, and prostheses," says Donna Shouldice, RN, OCN, a nurse in The Cancer Care Center at Battle Creek Health System. "We always look forward to this event. Because of these efforts, last year we able to give more than 100 books to grateful breast cancer patients. We are working toward a time when we won't need this type of fund raising-when cancer is cured."

The remaining monies from the local fundraising effort will be shared with the Susan B. Komen Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

The annual Stitch-A-Thon began in 2001 by Thelma Edwards, owner of the Flying Stitch and her staff out of concern for one of their friends that had been diagnosed with breast cancer. They decided to hold a fundraiser and donate proceeds to local cancer programs. The new owner, Kelly Keating continued the tradition of the local 'stitchers,' which has raised and donated over the years more than $23,000 for The Cancer Care Center at Battle Creek Health System.

The Breast Cancer Survivors Group meets at The Cancer Care Center the last Thursday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. Diane Olian, BCHS outpatient registration coordinates the meeting, which is open to women and men. For more information, call (269) 274-5084.

Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 12 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle Creek Health System as a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.

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