Contact:   Jennifer Pensinger
Program Director
610-763-5937
717-721-2580 x101

Pat Halpin-Murphy, president and founder of the PBCC, encourages everyone to visit the exhibit. “Breast cancer is not a rare event separate from the fabrics of our everyday lives. It impacts our mothers, daughters and friends. We must educate ourselves about this disease and fight to find a cure now…so our daughters won’t have to.”

“We are very happy to have been given the honor to host the exhibit. It further reinforces the importance of breast cancer awareness and early detection as key components in fighting breast cancer,” said Jim Edwards, President/CEO of the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance. “This exhibit also compliments the Women’s Services, including digital mammography, that we provide at the Hazleton Health & Wellness Center and the already established events that we host every October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

An opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, June 14^th at 6 p.m. The exhibit and reception are FREE and open to the public. To RSVP for the opening reception, please call 800-377-8828 x304. 

This work of art features women from each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, along with a message about how breast cancer has touched their lives. The women reflect the diversity of Pennsylvania, and their stories show the impact of breast cancer on themselves, their families and their communities. The exhibit encourages women to learn about early detection and celebrates life, courage, hope and the dignity of women and families who have battled breast cancer. 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania is sponsored by the PBCC and funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

The PBCC represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure now…so our daughters won’t have to. For more information, please call 800-377-8828 or visit www.PABreastCancer.org.

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I attended my first PBCC conference in 2001 when my good friend Helen Harshbarger was honored with the Shining Light award. Through Helen, I also became involved with the PBCC’s traveling photo exhibit. Then in 2006 my routine mammogram uncovered a density. I had a biopsy, just to be sure it was nothing to be concerned about but as it turned out, it was breast cancer. I had surgery, radiation, and was on tamoxifen for the next five years.

I had worked in the women’s center at Guthrie Hospital for quite some time, but until you’ve walked in those shoes yourself you really don’t know what it’s like. I was always supportive of patients and friends but being on the receiving end of that support showed me how important that is.

One of my two sons was in Iraq at the time of my diagnosis and I didn’t tell him about it. I didn’t want him worrying about me while I was worrying about him. My other son, my husband, my daughter-in-law, friends and neighbors were wonderful! Faith in God helped me get through surgery and recovery.

Now I work in the breast center at Guthrie, and one of the things I enjoy most is stepping in for Karen Cartwright, the nurse navigator, when she’s not available. I take the patient’s history, ask them how they are doing, and let them know that I’ve been through it too.

I like to read, walk my two rescue dogs, and work in my garden. My husband Red and I also have a 12 year-old cat that dislikes everyone and tolerates the dogs. I follow professional football and am an avid Penn State fan. I also watch “Dancing with the Stars,” and I actually vote!

Heather is featured in the PBCC’s traveling photo exhibit 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania.  See Heather’s photo and quote at any of our Spring opening receptions.

Take a read through our online edition and share it with your friends!

Over 60 women were assisted by our patient advocacy efforts.  Nearly 1,000 breast cancer survivors, advocates, health care professionals, and community and corporate leaders attended the PA Breast Cancer Coalition Conference in October. $100,000 was given to Dr. Craig Meyers at the Penn State College of Medicine to further his promising research into a virus that kills breast cancer cells that could potentially lead us to a cure. Grassroots Partners raised over $425,000 to enable us to continue our efforts on behalf of women and their families.

In 2012, we remain committed to representing, supporting and serving breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania. We renew our commitment to the goal of finding a cure for breast cancer now…so our daughters won’t have to.  Please join us!

Sharon Willison, Chief of Staff to PA State Senator Timothy J. Solobay, pictured with Heather Hibshman, PBCC Executive Director at the Greene County reception.

The busy fall schedule for the 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania traveling photo exhibit brought the display to Southwest Regional Medical Center (SRMC) in Greene County in early November. Heather Hibshman, the PBCC’s Executive Director, spoke at the event along with Carolyn Wissenbach, Penn State County Extension Director and Greene County Cancer Coalition Chair; Cynthia J. Cowie, CEO of SRMC; H. Adam Patton, D.O., Diagnostic Radiology of SRMC; and Valerie Cole, a breast cancer survivor and SRMC volunteer.

The exhibit, which features photos and quotes from women from each county in Pennsylvania, brings the message of breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection to every community it visits. Thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Health for their continued support of the traveling photo exhibit.

Breast cancer survivor and Philadelphia County exhibit participant Judi Blue shared her story with the audience. PBCC President & Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy invited all survivors to join her and Judi to celebrate the courage, hope and dignity with which they have faced breast cancer in a powerful ceremony at the podium.

The 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania traveling photo exhibit is funded by the PA Department of Health.

Some duties may include, but not be limited to:

• Work on the PBCC’s statewide educational and outreach programs:
  • Traveling Photo Exhibit
  • Take A Swing Against Breast Cancer home run derby
  • PBCC Annual Conference
• Interact with local event committees, state agencies, legislative contacts and media
• Write press releases, blog posts and articles as needed
• Coordinate volunteers for PBCC events and health fairs

The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is located at 344 North Reading Road in Ephrata, Lancaster County. It was founded in 1993 and is the only statewide grassroots organization in Pennsylvania that speaks to and for breast cancer survivors.

Applicants should possess:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience using Microsoft Office (Adobe Photoshop and InDesign experience preferred, but not required)
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Excellent project management and organizational skills

Take a look around our website to learn more about our organization.

Interested applicants should contact Sarah Lightman, Community Outreach Director, at Sarah@PABreastCancer.org or 717-721-2580 x107

This position is unpaid, and can be full or part time from September to December, 2011 with the potential to be extended into the Spring semester.

PBCC Executive Director Heather Hibshman served as emcee for the opening reception. In addition to Billie and Heather, speakers at the reception included Joseph J. Peluso, J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital President & CEO; Maria T. Pettinger, M.D., Chief of Staff & Department of Radiology Medical Director of  J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital; and Pat Kepple, a local breast cancer survivor.

Special thanks to Christine Gildea, the Director of Marketing & Community Relations for the J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital for serving as committee chairperson.