It will remain an exceedingly pink, family-oriented and fun event that raises money for local breast cancer patients, but there are a few subtle changes in the 10th Annual MVH/Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk on Saturday, Oct. 12.
Along with a new logo, local cancer patients at Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Charles L. & Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center will now benefit from all the money raised from the popular annual pink fun walk.
After nine years of planning the annual event, the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce staff has handed over leadership of the walk to the hospital’s Office of Fund Development staff with the hopes of growing the event even larger than its present size.
The Breast Cancer Walk was created to honor the memory of Lois Orange Ducoeur, who lost her battle with cancer in 1965 at age 54. The Ducoeur family operated Orange’s Gift store and Ducoeur Furniture Store in Charleroi for 118 years.
The chamber’s Executive Director Deb Keefer and Financial Assistant Donna Angelo championed the event and the Ducoeur Family assisted on the planning committee. These key event planners as well as the past committee members remain on the planning committees. The team includes several breast cancer survivors.
“When Deb Keefer approached me about carrying on the torch and planning the Breast Cancer Walk, I knew right away we were interested. I could see there was a great group of individuals on the committee who were passionate about this cause. It really is a win-win for the Hospital and for the community, as well as for our breast cancer patients,” said Sara Schumacher, vice president MVH’s Office of Fund Development.
“We are privileged to be a part of this Valley tradition and to be able to help grow the event,” she said. “Our intent is to expand our reach to include all of the areas in and surrounding the Valley proper. Breast Cancer is a prevalent disease and most of us know someone who has been affected by the disease.”
For nine years, the Hospital has received half of the proceeds from the walk along with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the event will now benefit cancer patients at the Charles L. and Rose Sweeney Melenyzer Pavilion and Regional Cancer Center, specifically, breast cancer patients.
“The funds will stay in the Valley, treating our families, friends and neighbors,” said Mrs. Schumacher.
“As a survivor, this walk has been important to me as a way to get much-needed information to cancer patients, survivors and families,” said Donna Angelo. “We like to treat this walk as a celebration of how far we have come and rejoice in the fact that more women are surviving a breast cancer diagnosis every year. Some like to call it our ‘Victory lap against breast cancer.’”
On Oct. 12, Walk registration begins at the Charleroi Market House, 423 McKean Ave., at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. No preregistration is required but walkers are asked to make a $5 donation.
The first 300 walkers donating or raising a minimum of $25 will receive a free commemorative bag. The first 400 walkers will receive a Pink Power Towel to wave at the start of the walk.
The event sponsors include Douglas Education Center, the Ducoeur Family, The Valley Independent/Trib Total Media and Valley Tire Co.
Other committee members include: Mary Altemara of North Charleroi, NovaCare; Linda Anders of Charleroi; Amber Angelo of Charleroi; Donna Angelo of Charleroi, Mon Valley Regional Chamber; Debbie Burkhardt of Donora, MVH; Nicole Fioravanti of Belle Vernon, Donora Lumber; Donn Henderson of Charleroi, Charleroi Borough; Donna Henderson of Charleroi; Bonny Holmes of Sutersville, MVH; Mary Kaufman of Scottdale, MVH; Deb Keefer of Belle Vernon, Mon Valley Regional Chamber; Kate Kellar of Pittsburgh, Julie Kingsley, Jefferson Hills; Douglas Education Center; Maryann Konsugar of Belle Vernon, MVH; Judy Lupori, Venetia; Melissa Marion of New Brighton, MVH; Debbie Matay of Perryopolis; Mandy Matay of Charleroi; Marcie Moessner of Charleroi; Theresa Paluso of Charleroi, Scale House Antiques; Kimberly Quinn of Charleroi, MVH; Trudy Radus of Monongahela, The Valley Independent; Joyce Reed of Belle Vernon, Amedisys; Lois Ruschak of Charleroi; Sara Schumacher of Washington, MVH; Kelly Sesco of Finleyville and Karen Wagner of Charleroi.
For more information, call the Office of Fund Development at 724-258-1855.
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