Women's health fair resources planned
CENTER TWP— Butler’s breast cancer support group will hold its annual health fair on Oct. 15.
The Breast Cancer and Women’s Health Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the center court at the Clearview Mall, with more than 40 vendors including doctors and businesses that will share information about their services and advice about living a healthy lifestyle.
“There’s always someone who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, is just shopping and happens to stop by,” said Cheryl Schaefer, fair event planner and coordinator of the Butler Breast Cancer and Women’s Cancer Support Group.
“I talk to them, get them the information they need, and they join the support group.”
The fair is the place to find information on groups and events that support breast cancer awareness and research.
With the mix of new and returning vendors, Schaefer says there will be such a substantial amount of information available that even men and children will benefit from attending.
In previous years, the Butler Ambulance Service tested blood pressure and Rite Aid pharmacy offered flu shots. Plus, Schaefer, a disabled veteran, always invites representatives from VA Butler Healthcare.
Jen’s Academy, which recently moved to the Clearview Mall, will represent Twirling for the Cure, a first for the fair. Riding for the Cure, a local nonprofit, will return.
Specifically for cancer patients, the event features groups such as Lana’s Spirit, which provides special “dignity” robes to wear instead of hospital gowns, and Evans City Pharmacy’s Kelly Graham, who is certified in fitting prosthetics for women who’ve had mastectomies.
“Certified fitters are few and far between, and a good certified fitter is near impossible to find,” Schaefer said.
She speaks from her own experience. Schaefer had her first mastectomy when diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2000 and her second with stage four breast cancer in 2008.
She said it’s important to find a certified fitter. Health insurance might not cover an uncertified one.
Graham fits Schaefer’s description of a “good certified fitter.” Graham offers a variety of options — bras, swimsuits, tops — and takes time to explain those options to her customers, Schaefer said.
Because the fair won’t have any hair loss specialists, Schaefer encourages anyone interested to call Creative Hair Solutions at 412-492-1688 to set up an appointment.
“To most women and some men, losing their hair is the worst thing about the process,” Schaefer said.
In addition to the advice they bring, vendors also donate baskets for a fundraiser.
Schaefer says there are always a variety of baskets, but Dr. Ronald Cypher’s office consistently brings a coveted one.
Once a basket was filled with chocolate; another year it was a cooler was stuffed with camping supplies.
Baskets are raffled before the end of the day.
People also will be able to buy tickets for a quilt, which was donated to the local support group in honor of an individual who passed away from breast cancer. It will be raffled in December at the group’s monthly meeting.
All money raised at the fair will be donated to the Butler Breast Cancer and Women’s Cancer Support Group.
