Nearly one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime, according to BreastCancer.org.
To heighten awareness about this disease and raise money for breast cancer research, Picatinnyans Jessica Deem and Tabitha Chase recently co-chaired the Picatinny Chapter of Women in Defense Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon here Oct. 4.
For their efforts they received recognition as Army Community Service Volunteers of the Quarter for July--September 2011.
The quarterly award was given by the Picatinny Army Volunteer Corps (AVC) and presented by the Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Herb Koehler.
The Army Volunteer Corps is managed by Army Community Services and their volunteer coordinators on garrisons around the world.
With the help of the Picatinny community, Deem and Chase raised more than $1,500 for breast cancer research. The money was split between two breast cancer foundations -- Saint Clare's Foundation and the Rippel Breast Center at Morristown Community Medical Center.
"By choosing local charities I thought that it would have a greater impact to the local community and that it could potentially benefit people that work here or their family members because these are the types of places they would go for treatment," Deem explained.
The pair raised the funds through admission ticket sales to the luncheon. They also sought prizes from local businesses and held a raffle with all the proceeds going to the charities.
The two sold the raffle tickets at Choices during lunch. Many Picatinny community members donated to the event even though they could not attend the luncheon.
"There were so many generous people. We sat at Choices and people just came up and gave us a few dollars. They didn't even want to buy a raffle ticket, they just wanted to donate to the cause," Chase said.
Approximately 100 people attended the luncheon, which focused on early breast cancer detection and surgical options. Breast cancer awareness is close to both their hearts, the volunteers said, because they've both known people affected by the disease.
"My friend passed away due to breast cancer a couple of years ago and since then I've been very active in breast cancer charities," said Deem.
She also participates in Saint Clare's Foundation's Annual Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Chase also knows breast cancer survivors and has volunteered for ovarian cancer awareness programs.
Deem is the Training Aides, Devices, Simulators and Simulations Manager and the M777A2/ Digitized M119A2 Training Aides, Devices, Simulators and Simulations Manager for Project Manager Towed Artillery Systems.
Chase is the Executive Officer for the Department of Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium.
Related Links:
"Air Force veteran shares photo expertise"
"Picatinny battle captain hones skills in Afghanistan"
"From ordnance corps to Peace Corps and back"
Social Sharing