Breast Cancer is not a stranger in Vicki Erdley’s life. It was Vicki’s mother, a 24 year survivor; sister, a 9 year survivor and Vicki’s father-in-law who is also a breast cancer survivor who inspired her to bring awareness to this life altering disease. Vicki, a guidance office secretary at Westmont Elementary School teamed up with school nurse Joan Ponzurick and first grade teacher Diana Junker to raise awareness throughout the school by selling pink bracelets, holding a faculty dress down day and selling pink ribbons with names of the donors displayed prominently on a giant poster inside the elementary school entrance. Together the dynamic team raised $700 towards patient care services at the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center. “I was really excited. This was something I could do to give back,” said Erdley. In addition, the team arranged for their co-workers to gather together after school and “Take the Pink Pledge” promise to get their annual mammogram, yearly clinical breast exam and to perform monthly self-breast exams. For more information on how your organization can “Take the Pink Pledge,” please contact the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center at 467-0044.
Patty Felton (right) Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center Director recites the Pink Pledge with Westmont Hilltop Elementary School Faculty.