by Madison V. Fisler and Rebecca Mullins
Oct. 21, 2013. These days, it seems as if the lives of almost everyone are touched by cancer of some kind. October has been deemed Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many across the High Country are determined to make sure that the month does not pass by unnoticed.
Colleges Against Cancer Glow Run: On Oct. 25, Colleges Against Cancer on Appalachian State University’s campus has organized a 5K nighttime Glow Run. The run begins at 7 p.m. on ASU’s Sanford Mall. The registration fee is $20 and goes to Colleges Against Cancer where it will be divided up and sent back out into the community for cancer patients and cancer research.
Breast Cancer Awareness at Come Back Shack: On Oct. 28, Come Back Shack is donating a percentage of their funds to Zeta Tau Alpha’s philanthropy fund, Breast Cancer Education and Awareness, but only if you tell the cashier you’re there for Zeta Tau Alpha’s philanthropy.
Wilma Redmond Remembered During Breast Cancer Awareness Month: This October, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) remembers Wilma Price Redmond during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The late Ashe County native joined Watauga Medical Center in 1981. She worked as a mammographer and a CT and ultrasound technologist before being named the director of Radiological Imaging Services in 1988. In 2002, Redmond last her battle with Breast Cancer. In her memory, the Wilma Redmond Fund was established. The Appalachian Regional Healthcare Fund uses a portion of the donated funds to provide free first-time mammograms for women 35 years and older as well as support through the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center to individuals who cannot afford diagnostic follow-ups. The balance of the Fund is for breast cancer program improvements as well as educational opportunities for staff. More than 10 years after her death, Redmond is remembered by her staff as a legacy of hope. Martha Daniels, BSRT,(R)(M)(CT)(QM), Chief Mammographer at Cannon Memorial Hospital (CMH) and Gloria Payne, RT(R)(M)M, Chief Mammographer at the WMC Outpatient Imaging and Laboratory Center were both mentored by Redmond. “Wilma was a great person, said Daniels through a reminiscent smile. “She had a special talent to make the department flow like a well oiled machine. I remember Wilma always had an open door policy and she truly cared for her team and her patients.” Daniels, who has been with the healthcare system for 22 years, has a heart for women’s health and loves her job. Payne, who has served 25 years in the Imaging Department at WMC said “I, too, studied under Wilma while on rotation at WMC. She taught me how to do mammography shortly after she hired me. Wilma was delightful, always open and understanding. She was the type of person who wanted you to achieve your best.”
Past Events
The following events have already passed, but were still an integral part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the High Country.
- Doc’s Rocks Fundraising Day Oct. 19
- Appalachian Regional Healthcare’s “Pink Day” Oct. 16