Across the globe, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed in October to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure. Here in Jerauld County, two opportunities are scheduled this week to help raise funds that stay in the community and directly help community members, neighbors and friends in the area who are battling breast cancer.
Volley for a Cure
This Thursday, October 12, the annual Volley for a Cure is scheduled to begin at the elementary gymnasium at 4 p.m. The cancer awareness event spearheaded by the Wessington Springs High School Lady Spartan Volleyball Team has raised thousands of dollars for Weskota Foundation’s Cancer Awareness fund over the past decade. The fund provides cancer awareness, education and prevention-based activities in Jerauld County.
The event will consist of many fundraising efforts including: a quilt raffle, bake sale, supper, silent auction items, memory cards and t-shirt sales.
More information about the event can be found in this print and e-edition on PAGE TWO
Benefit for Reina Ford
Friends and family of Reina Ford have planned a benefit to support the Wessington Springs native as she continues her battle with breast cancer. The event is set for October 14, 2023 at the American Legion in Wessington Springs.
The benefit features a blind draw double dart tournament, bean bag tournament, free will donation lunch and supper, along with a silent and live auction. More details can be found in this week’s print and e-edition in the ad on PAGE TWO Ford, who will turn 51 on Friday, October 6, explained that she went to her annual mammogram appointment in June.
“I was six months overdue but had never had any health problems before,” she recalled. “After they did a biopsy they called me to come to the doctor’s office in person for the results. That’s when they told me I had cancer. I was scared, very scared.”
Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, Ford explained that this type of cancer is rare, aggressive and fast-growing. For this reason, her doctor’s moved quickly and within three weeks of her biopsy, she began chemo treatment July 10.
Event organizers which include Ford’s three sisters, husband, friends and community members said that the purpose of the benefit is to raise funds so that Ford’s financial burden can be eased and she can focus on healing. Still working full time, Ford has to take time off work for treatments and when she is feeling unwell due to the chemo.
Organizers are billing the event as a time for fellowship and fun while helping out a fellow member of the community.
