It only takes $108 to potentially save a life. $108, or the cost of a mammogram, can help a woman, or a man, catch breast cancer in its early stages and drastically reduce its severity.
But what happens when someone doesn’t have insurance, or their own money to spare, to cover the cost of the test?
That’s where the Pink Ribbon Trailblazers come in. The Trailblazers are a non-profit group that raises funds to support breast cancer services at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac. The monies raised will provide funding for mammograms for underserved and uninsured women in Oakland County.
Lake Orion residents Pat Nolf, who has fought her own battle against breast cancer, and Teri Donaldson are the powers behind the Trailblazers.
Nolf volunteers at St. Joseph Mercy and saw firsthand experience of some women’s financial struggles when it comes to getting an important test like the mammogram. Through Title XV, some funding is available for underserved women, but it goes pretty quickly.
‘Funds are really tight,? Noff said, noting that by April, the 100 mammograms that Title XV helps supply are used up. ‘I don’t think that that is right.?
Noff and Donaldson agree that ‘no woman should be without the wherewithal to get a mammogram.?
On Saturday, August 4, the Pink Ribbon Trailblazers are hosting their first annual ‘Stroll, Ride, Run ‘Fun’draiser? to start raising funds to help women, who may not otherwise have the funding to get a mammogram, to get one.
The event will start at the Oxford Township Public Library, located at 530 Pontiac Road, with check-in at 8 a.m. and an opening ceremony, survivor recognition and send-off at 9 a.m. Depending whether you are biking or walking/running, you will follow separate routes along the Polly Ann Trail. The event will be held in conjunction with the Polly Ann Trail Opening and Oxford Days.
‘We’ll take any donation and we’ll pool those together,? Donaldson said. ‘For every $108 that we raise, it funds another mammogram.?
For those individuals that pre-register with a donation of $108 or more, they will receive a limited edition Pink Ribbon Trailblazers t-shirt.
Not only will you realize a t-shirt for your $108 donation, but also as Nolf said ‘that’s one more woman that can receive a mammogram.?
‘I’m hoping we can fund 30 mammograms (with this event),? Nolf added. ‘We’re trying to let every woman have a chance to be healthy.?
For more information about the Pink Ribbon Trailblazers or to register for the event, contact Donaldson at (248)393-8515 or embteri@aol.com, or Nolf at (248)693-3182 or dpnolf@yahoo.com. The ladies ask for pre-registration to occur before July 20.
‘Please come out. It’s such a good cause,? Donaldson said. ‘Early detection is your best defense (against breast cancer).?
‘Every woman should be allowed that opportunity,? Nolf added.