BUZZon - Columnist Mary Beth Roach - Prince Edward Island (PEI)

Holding the “Woodlands Creatures” quilt which will be raffled in order to raise funds for breast cancer research are members of the Rose Runners CIBC Run for the Cure team, Peggy Roach Rivard, Mary Beth Roach (left) and Mary Leah Trainor (right). In 1996, my mother, Rose Roach, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 52. A family therapist with Addiction Services dedicated to helping and supporting others, she organized a family team, the Rose Runners, to participate in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. The Rose Runners has participated in the Run for the Cure every year since 1996. For my mother, the event was not only about raising money for breast cancer research, education, and awareness, but also about bringing family, friends, and communities together to support Island women with breast cancer. On the day of the run, she was always amazed as the sea of white and pink t-shirts flooded streets for as far as the eye could see.

Although my mother, lost her battle with breast cancer in 2000, the Rose Runners continue to participate in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. We remain committed to supporting Island women with breast cancer and believe that one day a cure will be found. This year alone, 100 Island women will be newly diagnosed with breast cancer and 25 Island women will die from the disease (Canadian Cancer Statistics, 2006).

Two members of the Rose Runners, Yvette McKenna and Mary Leah Trainor, hatched a fund-raising idea. Accomplished quilters, they spoke with other quilters, about the possibility of making a quilt to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure. Sixteen quilters agreed to help. Woodland Creatures, the quilt pattern chosen, features 9 woodland animals, flanked by a sparrow border at the top and chipmunk border at the bottom. Each stitch has been hand quilted. In total, the quilt has taken over 1000 hours to complete. A work of art, the quilt is a gift from talented Island quilters to women and families touched by breast cancer.

Thanks to Lucy Hickey, Karen Beauregard, Maureen Garrity, Brenda MacKinnon, Edie Zakem, Iva Steward, Brenda Harper, Jean Steele, Velda Taylor, Mary Leah Trainor, Yvette McKenna, Judy Fraser, June Lund, Eileen Howatt, Joyce Doyle, Cheryl Doyle, Marsha Dennis, and Beverly Boswell for the many hours spent quilting Woodland Creatures in support of breast cancer research, education, and awareness.

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