Press Releases

Mercy Hospital Foundation Raises $17,000 to Support Advanced Breast Cancer Screening For Women in Need

Port Huron, MI…Mercy Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce the annual Pink Ribbon Ladies’ Day, held recently in June, raised more than $17,000 to support economically disadvantaged area women in need of advanced diagnostic testing for breast cancer.

“Each year, we receive outstanding community support for this important resource for women who are uninsured or underinsured,” comments Homeira McDonald, MD, Chair of the Mercy Hospital Foundation. “Women who are beneficiaries of this funding could be your friends or your neighbors, but they are all in need of advanced breast cancer diagnosis. With the support of the community, we will be able to continue to help those in the greatest need.”

“This year, more than 150 area women attended this exciting nine-hole golf scramble. Many come for the golf, but all come to support Mercy’s Pink Ribbon endeavors,” comments Wendy Palmateer, Owner of Golf Country in Marysville, and the Chair of the Pink Ribbon Ladies’ Day Committee. In addition to the nine-hole golf scramble, area teams also participate in the annual Cart Decorating and Spirit Award competitions.

“The Cart Decorating and Spirit Award competitions are a lively part of the event in which many of the teams participate,” continues Palmateer, who was a founding member of the committee and has been active with the group for more than 12 years.

“The Cart Decorating and Spirit Award competitions were added to the slate of activities a few years ago,” says Palmateer. “The committee has always looked for ways to enhance the event, including adding a vendor sale geared to women’s products and services. The amount of support received each year has been wonderful. This year’s success was very meaningful because it shows that even when our community is experiencing difficult economic challenges, support of local women in need hasn’t diminished. I’m very grateful to everyone who is committed to this project.”

“Supporting local women facing a breast cancer diagnosis is very important,” continues Palmateer. “When I approached Mercy Hospital regarding this project, there were no local breast cancer awareness events. Now, you can’t turn around without bumping into a Pink Ribbon fund-raiser. Although it’s wonderful to see this heightened state of awareness, it’s very important to me that this is a local event in which all funds raised stay in our community. I believe in the work of national organizations to raise funds to fight breast cancer, but we can’t lose sight of our local needs. That’s where I want to spend my efforts. Teaming up with Mercy Hospital and its mission to provide care to the poor and underserved is simply a great combination.”

Mercy Hospital Foundation extends its gratitude to the Pink Ribbon Ladies’ Day major sponsors: Lunch Sponsor: Citizens First Foundation; Gold Sponsor: the Mercy Auxiliary Volunteer Organization (MAVO); Silver Sponsors: Woman’s Life Insurance Society and WGRT; Breakfast Sponsor: Baker College; and Beverage Sponsor: Dependable Heating and Cooling, Inc.

Mercy’s Pink Ribbon Ladies’ Day celebrated its twelfth anniversary this year, and continues to grow stronger each year. Next year’s event is being planned for Thursday, June 26, 2008 at Fore Lakes Golf Club. “We continue to look for women-focused business who truly would like to support less-fortunate women in our community by sponsorship of this event,” concludes Palmateer. “If you would like to become involved in Mercy’s event that truly puts women in focus, give us a call. You won’t believe how terrific it feels to be a part of this fun event.”