$108 ? certainly not too steep a price to pay to ensure the safety and health of a parent, grandparent, sibling or friend, but, nonetheless, money that could make a huge difference.
$108 funds a mammogram that could potentially catch breast cancer in its early stages and drastically reduce its severity; but what do those that don’t have insurance do?
They turn to the Pink Ribbon Trailblazers for help.
The Trailblazers are a non-profit, 501c3 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.
Started last year by Lake Orion residents Pat Nolf, who has fought her own battle against breast cancer, and Teri Donaldson, the Trailblazers hosted a successful ‘Stroll, Ride, Run ‘Fun’draiser? helping to fund about 130 mammograms, a total that exceeded their goal by 100.
This year, Nolf is back and hoping to make even more of a difference.
‘I understand times are tough,? she said, ‘but it’s about giving a woman (or man) peace of mind.?
The group has been known to do that, as one of their first beneficiaries from a mammogram had been dealing with a lump in her breast for two years, but had no insurance to get it checked out. Since she was only 38-years-old, she did not qualify for any special funding programs, so for two years, she waited, not knowing what to do, according to Nolf. Because of the Trailblazers, that woman received her mammogram in 2007 and has gained back peace of mind because her lump was, in fact, not cancerous.
Since Nolf is a firm believer that every woman should have the opportunity to be healthy, the Trailblazers are once again hosting their Pink Ribbon Trailblazers ‘Stroll, Ride, Run ‘Fun’draiser? on Saturday, Sept. 13.
‘Following our first event in 2007, the (Trailblazers) presented a $14,040 check to St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital’s Breast Program,? Nolf said. ‘This year, it’s my personal goal to raise $17,000.?
The event will start at Powell Lake Park, right next to the Oxford Township Public Library, 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.
Donations will be accepted in any amount, are tax-deductible and, according to Nolf, anyone whose donations total $108 or more, and is pre-registered, will receive an event t-shirt.
Nolf is asking for pre-registrations for the event to be received by Aug. 29, although walk-ins are welcome and encouraged to attend, as well.
For more information about the Pink Ribbon Trailblazers or to register for the event, contact Nolf at (248)693-3182 or dpnolf@yahoo.com.
They can also be visited online at www.PinkRibbonTrailblazers.com.