The Richland County community came together Wednesday evening Oct. 22 to celebrate Richland County women who defeated breast cancer.
The event was held at Dan Lew Exchange and included appetizers, a buffet style dinner, music and door prizes. Rhonda Breit, Pat Kracker Breast Cancer Fund Chairperson, served as the host.
“The Pat Kracker Breast Cancer Fund has always been supported by Richland County residents, businesses, and media to help Richland County residents navigate the tidal wave of emotions and financial pain caused by this horrible disease,” Breit said. “This was our third Survivor Celebration.”
Twenty breast cancer survivor honorees attended with family and friends. In addition, the event was attended by other breast cancer survivors, bringing the total number of breast cancer survivors in attendance to 27.
The keynote speaker was Reneta Music, founder of Mansfield’s Music Academy of Karate and Empowerment. Music, also a breast cancer survivor, spoke about “The Warrior Within.”
Remarks were made by Dave Kracker, Founder of the Pat Kracker Breast Cancer Fund, and Patti Kastelic, former Director of Oncology at Ohio Health. The Litzinger family made a donation to the Fund in celebration of Kelley Litzinger, who supported Richland County breast cancer patients and survivors for more than 20 years.
Survivors recognized
The twenty breast cancer survivors who were celebrated included: Lisa Purdy; Carla Hale, Kathleen Ruley, Pat Dubose, Melissa Hedeen, Carolyn Toms, Meredith Walker, Sharon Ores, Kay Franklin, Linda Roberts, Wahnita Johnson, Nikki Rife, Pam Gerich, Rhonda Sylvester, Darlene Burton, Bambi Couch Page, Theresa Cains, Aggie Howard, Norma Streib, and Toni Daugherty.
All of their pictures can be seen at the Pat Kracker website.
“These 20 women never gave up and never gave in,” Breit said. “Tonight was a night of celebration and appreciation of life. We are building a legacy in which Richland County breast cancer women will feel supported and celebrated.”
For additional information contact Rhonda Breit at 419-610-4877.