Rebecca’s Warriors offer ‘Ribbons of Hope’
by Tina Cole-Mullins
Amid the sparkle and twinkle of this year’s holiday decorations, a tree adorned in pink “Ribbons of Hope” was placed within the village square.
This unique tree also has a unique purpose. Created by Rebecca’s Warriors, the tree stands as a display for breast cancer awareness and to show support for Rebecca Dunne.
Dunne is a local business owner and community volunteer who was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall. She served on the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce and the Stockbridge Downtown Development Authority.
Rebecca’s Warriors began as a small group of ladies having dinner to show their love and support for Dunne. The effort grew overnight into the ongoing “Ribbons of Hope” campaign to emphasize breast cancer awareness year round.
The group feels the tree is a fitting way to show community support for Dunne.
“Year after year, she amazingly volunteered to decorate our town for the holiday season on the Downtown Development Authority,” said Geri Uihlein, a member of the group.
Rebecca Dunne’s story
Dunne decided to share her story in the hope that it will not only promote breast cancer awareness, but encourage others to take her words to heart.
“If only one person listens and hears the importance of not dismissing or put off getting a mammogram because they think ‘not me,’ or they are invincible,” she said.
Dunne’s plea is “Don’t put it off!”
Just months short of her 52nd birthday, on an unforgettable Aug. 14, Dunne first discovered a quarter-size lump on her right breast.
“At first I shrugged it off as my being clumsy and bumped or bruised myself. But a bruise never appeared and over time it doubled in size, ” she said of the oblong-shaped lump.
Having never had a mammogram, she felt it was time to get checked out. It took almost two months to get her test because of a delay in scheduling. On Oct. 12, Dunne finally had her mammogram. When the results came back, she was not allowed to leave without an immediate follow-up biopsy.
The results revealed Dunne has invasive ductal carcinoma stage 3. Just more than a month later on Nov. 16, she began treatment with two surgical procedures: a lumpectomy and a lymphadenectomy removing the sentinel nodes.
Dunne was set to begin the second phase of her journey on her birthday, Dec. 17, with a visit to a chemical oncologist followed by a chemo radiation the next day. At that time, it is expected that doctors will go over the next stages of her treatment plan.
‘Ribbons of Hope’
The “Ribbons of Hope” campaign is not simply pink ribbons, but a combination of promoting breast cancer awareness, while also being a fundraising event. Ribbons can be purchased through Cravings in the village of Stockbridge or directly from Geri Uihlein at the cost of $10 for a large, $5 for a medium or $1 for a small ribbon. Once the ribbons are purchased, you are invited to place them on the tree in Dunne’s honor.
The “Ribbons of Hope” tree will remain up and ribbons will continue through Valentine’s Day in honor of Dunne’s volunteerism being an essential, unseen heartbeat in the community, organizers said.
To help launch the campaign, the Stockbridge Masonic Lodge 130 made a donation and will be hosting the event fundraiser through PayPal for monetary donations to purchase quilt raffle tickets or “Ribbons of Hope.” The Masons know Dunne as a volunteer, as each year she shopped for the Christmas families they adopted through the Stockbridge Community Outreach.
Sandy Haubrich, of Sandy Sew Terrific and a member of Rebecca’s Warriors, donated the ribbon. Haubrich also is selling unique metal artwork created by Kurt Becker, with half the proceeds going toward the fundraiser.
Also on display at Sandy’s Sew Terrific is a beautiful handmade quilt that is being offered as a raffle prize. The quilt, “Appalachian Memories,” was donated by Connie and Paul Risner. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $10 through Jan. 15 at Sandy’s Sew Terrific, from Geri Uihlein or via a PayPal link below.
Dunne was at a loss of words for the display of support she has received from the community, some from people she does not even know. If you are one of Rebecca’s Warriors or would like to become one of her Warriors, you can follow ongoing and upcoming events at Rebecca’s Warriors on Facebook or make a donation at the PayPal link below.
PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/donate/hosted_button_id=Q4UMEYQXMCVFY&fbclid=IwAR22KZkyhCd88VEyvkMhShIzbdYu0U1SNmqa81vTsP4PLPfbvNTuCAi2aTM
About breast cancer
Roughly 12% (1 in 8) women across the United States will develop breast cancer within their lifetime, according to breastcancer.org.
⦁ Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (X-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.
⦁ Women ages 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
⦁ Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years, or can continue yearly screening.
Treatment costs
According to Singlecare.com, the treatment costs of a breast cancer patient within the first year alone after receiving a diagnosis can average:
⦁ Stage 0 breast cancer cost: $60,637.
⦁ Stage I/II breast cancer cost: $82,121.
⦁ Stage III breast cancer cost: $129,387.
⦁ Stage IV breast cancer cost: $134,682.
⦁ Average breast cancer cost for all stages: $85,772.
