Living on the Sunny Side of Cancer
by  Mary Lou Quinlan

 
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Jane Sundmacher, Public Information Officer, Priscilla Miller, ACHT Public Relations, Jane Van Etten, Dee Lynch, Teresa Loudenslager, Community Health Coordinator, Linda Yaroch, Deputy Health Officer and Gerald Chase, Health Department of Northwest Michigan, Health Officer

Photo courtesy Konrad Edwards MPH

The Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention received the Public Health Community Achievement Award during Michigan’s Premier Public Health Conference held on Thursday at the Grand Traverse Resort. The award is presented each year to a Michigan institution, organization, foundation or individual that has impacted the health status of the state’s residents through exceptional innovation, public service, program development, research or other significant support of public health endeavors and is highly coveted within the public health community.

Kathleen Oberst presented the award to Dee Lynch president and co founder of the all volunteer 501C3 organization, which promotes awareness of breast cancer through education and partners with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan and Munson Breast Care Services, to provide mammograms to uninsured and under insured residents of Antrim County.

Lynch accepted the award on behalf of the ACHT Board and all of its many volunteers. The organization was founded by Lynch and Jane Van Etten in 2004. It provided assistance to 24 residents of Antrim County that first year. Today the numbers of individuals being served in 2009 has already reached 200. For information regarding free mammograms or to make a donation call 1-800-432-4121 or visit www.antrimcountyhightea.org

 One Woman’s Idea Now Providing 
Free Mammograms for the Uninsured in Antrim County
by Priscilla Miller

    It all started when a woman by the name of Dee Lynch came to town. After teaching school for over forty years in the Ann Arbor area, she and her husband Ron, were about to retire when they lost their eldest daughter Susan to breast cancer.

St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor, asked Dee to be on a steering committee for a new women’s cancer center they were planning to build and Dee’s life took on a new purpose. Her daughter had been a professional ice skater, so Dee contacted Ice Skating Champion, Peggy Flemming (a breast cancer survivor herself). She asked Peggy to attend the ground breaking ceremony for the new hospital.

Peggy not only traveled to Ann Arbor for the event but together the two women made a video which helped raise corporate funds for the new facility. Before long, the Ellen Thompson Hospital for Women became a reality.

Dee became a spokeswoman and fundraiser for the National Cancer Foundation traveling across the country speaking to anyone who would listen, about the importance of breast self-examinations and having mammogram’s on a regular basis.

She focused on the “undeserved women” (women who slip through the cracks and have no insurance, for one reason or another). Women who’s lives might be saved if only they had the early detection provided by a mammogram.

Dee and Ron eventually retired to northern Michigan but, something kept bothering Dee. She knew that while financial assistance was available to pay for the treatment of breast cancer in women without insurance there were no funds available that would pay for the initial mammogram necessary to diagnose the disease in the first place!

She spoke with Jane Van Etten owner of the Muffin Tin Restaurant about an idea she had for holding a high tea to raise funds for providing mammograms for women in Antrim County who had no insurance.

The first Alden High Tea for Breast Cancer was held in June of 2004 at the Muffin Tin. The restaurant could only seat thirty eight and tickets were sold out in no time. The event proved to be so successful, that additional high tea’s were held in July and August of that year.

In 2005, the Gerry and Patty Kolb owners of the property adjacent to the Muffin Tin, known as Spencer Creek Landing offered the use of their lovely grounds. A magnificent white tent was erected on the site increasing the seating capacity to one hundred and ninety five.

In 2006 and 2007 tickets for the events once again sold out. In order to accommodate those who were unable to attend the high tea, an elegant reception was added the evening prior to the high tea along with a raffle and silent auction.

The High Tea for Breast Cancer partners with Health Department of Northwest Michigan and Munson Hospital Breast Care Services in Traverse City.

Working together they have made it possible for hundreds of women in Antrim County without insurance, to have mammograms. As a result thirty eight cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in one year alone. The youngest victim was only seventeen and one man was also diagnosed!

In addition funds were used to provide additional medical aid, supply chemo. patients with wigs, sponsor a Woman’s Wellness Day, and provide education of breast cancer awareness in Antrim County Schools.

Dee’s idea has taken root and continues to grow. As a result of this years high tea which raised $32,000. She wants to “spread the word that free mammograms are now available to everyone who is uninsured or under insured in Antrim County!”

Early Detection Saves Lives
by Priscilla Miller

    Early detection is the key to saving lives. Women who have mammogram’s and pap tests on a regular basis increase their chances for a cure, if cancer is discovered.

Every year thousands of families will receive the news that a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer. This news is always devastating, but perhaps even more so, when it is your child who has been stricken, with this dread disease.

Earl Taylor remembers the day “a girl child came into my life and became my life”. He recalls that her first words were “Da Da”. He watched her grow from a little Indian Princess at the local YMCA, into a young woman, graduating from high school, and then as a young, independent adult, moving to Florida.

When Earl received the news that Julie had stage four cervical cancer, he called on his longtime family friend and Julie’s former nursery school teacher, Dee Lynch for help.

Dee knew first hand what Earl and his family were going through, because she too had received the same devastating news, when her daughter Susan, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Sadly, Susan lost her battle.

Dee’s loss was instrumental in her founding the Alden High Tea for Breast Cancer, (Now known as theAntrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention.) She dedicated her life to education, prevention, and assisting others, in the prevention of breast cancer. As a result of her efforts, she was able to provide Earl with a number of resources, where Julie would receive the very best treatment and care.

For two years, Julie remained up beat and confident, in her belief, that she could beat her cancer. Earl says, “ that despite the best medical help that money could buy, it wasn’t enough!” One weekend, Julie called her dad and told him “it was time to come home!” She wanted to see her beloved, Au Sable River, which held a treasure of childhood memories for her, one more time.

Not knowing where to turn, or how to make the necessary arrangements, to get his critically ill, Julie home, Earl once again, called on Dee for help. Dee helped him make arrangements for a twin engine plane, out of Traverse City, along with a flight nurse, from Grayling, to fly down to Florida and bring her home. She also contacted hospice in Roscommon, and a bed and nurse, were ready and waiting for Julie, at Earl’s home.

When Julie’s plane arrived in Grayling, Dee and her husband Ron, were with Earl, to meet her at the airport. Earl says, “despite the fact that Julie was heavily medicated, her wish to see the river she so loved, was fulfilled, before she slipped away”. He says, “ if, Julie had discovered the cancer earlier, she might be alive today” and he hopes that others will learn from his family’s loss. He especially wants to urge men, to take an active role in cancer prevention, by reminding the women in their lives, to have regular gynecological exams and mammograms.

He was pleased to learn, that as a result of funds raised by the Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention, free mammograms are now available, to uninsured persons needing a mammogram, and living in Antrim County, by simply calling the Health Department of Northwest Michigan at 1-800-432-4121 In addition, anyone with questions, or needing help with medical issues of any kind, can contact Teresa Sington at the same number.

Today,
Susie appreciates all the little things in life.  Breast cancer survivor tells ACHT,
“You saved my life!”
by Priscilla Miller

Susie had only been living in Northern Michigan for a few months, when in November of 2008, she went to have her annual mammogram.  She never supected that anything was amiss, so when she received word just before Christmas, that something on her mammogram indicated the need for further testing, she panicked.

Somehow, in spite of the dark fear now dwelling within her soul, this mother of twelve year old twin daughters and a fourteen year old son, managed to keep up a brave front and make Christmas happy for her children.  In January results from a digital mammogram and ultrasound, revealed a suspicious lump in Susie’s left breast and indicated the need for a biopsy. Susie didn’t know what to do, or where to turn.  She felt alone and frightened.  She says, I didn’t know anyone here and I had no insurance.  I was angry and asked, why me?

She remembered seeing an Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention flyer at a local store.  ACHT is an all volunteer, 501 C3 organization that provides free mammograms to uninsured and under insured residents of Antrim County and partners with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. 

Susie went to the store, copied the number off of the flyer and in desperation made the call.  With that one call, she was assured, everything would be taken care of and in no time at all, arrangements for Susie to have her biopsy were made.  The results of that biopsy confirmed Susie’s greatest fears.  She had breast cancer!  An ACHT registered nurse helped allay some of those fears with a visit to Susie’s home.  She answered any questions that Susie and her children had at that time and reassured them that she was only a phone call away.

In February, Susie underwent a complete mastectomy and biopsies of two lymph nodes revealed,one was cancerous.  Three weeks later the remaining lymph nodes were also removed.  Fortunately the biopsy results on these were negative.

Susie experienced periods of depression and fatigue but there were moments of laughter as well.  Like the time one of her daughters asked, Is your breast going to be donated to charity?  Another time one of them wondered why her mother didn’t walk lopsided after having the mastectomy?

Three months of traveling to Traverse City for chemotherapy treatments followed.  ACHT helped defray the cost of these trips by providing Susie with gas cards. When chemo caused her hair to fall out Susie used a scarf to cover her head. Then, ACHT provided her with two beautiful wigs. The first time she wore one of the wigs, she went to pick up her daughters after school.  One of her girls ran up to the car, opened the door and just as she was about to hop in, stopped dead in her tracks and not recognizing Susie with hair, exclaimed, Oh, I’m sorry! I thought you were my mother!

Today, Susie is in remission and says, I appreciate all the little things in life that I used to take for granted and I spend more time with my children now.  She has a message for anyone who has volunteered their time or contributed to the Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention.  She says, I felt sad and lonely but you came to me and my family with love, support, visits, cards, flowers and food galore!  You saved my life and took care of my financial worries.  God Bless each of you, and thank you.

10/14/09

    The board of directors of Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention (ACHT), a 501c3 organization, is pleased to announce its 2008 fundraising results. Through the efforts of area residents, businesses and organizations a total of $55,588 was raised through donations, grants, and events giving the organization a balance on hand of $95,675 to support 2009-2011 breast cancer prevention programs in Antrim County.

The major components of 2009 allocations as approved by the board at the December 2008 meeting are as follows:

• $41,000 As a grant to the Health Department to be used for qualified client needs and advertising/promotion for breast cancer education and awareness

• $14,000 ACHT education programs, literature, and presentations in Antrim County schools, public libraries and businesses

• $2,000 Munson Medical Center – mammograms for Antrim County clients not covered through the Health Department.

• $12,000 A 2009 emergency reserve for unique client needs in Antrim County. In previous years this has involved clinical trials, genetic testing and special screening programs.

• $18,000 Remainder of the grant from the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Fund, Fifth Third Bank, Trustee which is reserved for 2010, 2011 programs

• $3,500 Administrative costs which include insurance, fees and 2009 event start-up expenses.

The ACHT board of directors wishes to express their appreciation to all of the Antrim County communities who offered their support through donations of time, money and merchandise for this important program for our residents.

The number of women, from Antrim County, being tested through the Health Department has grown from 22 in 2004 (ACHT’s first year) to 110 in 2008. Our goal for 2009 is 150 growing to 250 by 2011.

As this is a totally volunteer organization, contact the Health Department or ACHT if you are interested in getting involved or wish to make a donation to help us to prevent breast cancer deaths in Antrim County. Go to www.antrimcountyhightea.org for more information.