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WILKES-BARRE - Ten northeastern Pennsylvania residents recently took the brave step of sharing their personal experiences with breast cancer to inspire others who are facing the disease. Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BCNEPA) has collected their stories and photos for the company's 12th annual "Gallery of Hope."
Created by BCNEPA in 2000, the Gallery of Hope is a traveling display designed to educate the public about the importance of early detection and treatment in the fight against breast cancer. Beginning this month, the 2012 Gallery is available to exhibit throughout northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.
Wayne County Honoree
This year's Gallery of Hope includes Wayne County resident Carol Reed of Lake Ariel, who was diagnosed with cancer at age 34. During a routine annual exam, what she thought was an allergic reaction turned out to be a cancerous lump.
"My husband Kurt and I were newlyweds at the time, and suddenly we were faced with my cancer diagnosis," she recalls.
Throughout her diagnosis and recovery, Reed continued to work as an assistant professor at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) where she recently participated in the "Lights of Hope" event, an annual fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Reed's message to women everywhere is that breast cancer can affect anyone at any age. And she stresses the importance of annual exams and monthly self-exams, especially for younger women not yet having regular mammograms. "If not for my annual exam," she says, "my cancer would not have been detected."
Other Honorees
In addition to Reed, the 2012 Gallery of Hope recognizes:
* Carmine Ann Swirble, of Hazleton, Luzerne County, who is the head cook at Hazleton General Hospital and a grandmother of two.
* Carmina Rinkunas, of Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, an attorney and a mother of three who recently completed the two-day, 39.3 mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York City.
* Sandra Connor, of Clifford, Susquehanna County, who is a two-time cancer survivor and grandmother of five.
* Melissa Telesk, of Factoryville, Wyoming County, who is a pre-school teacher and mother of two.
* Jayne Reynolds, of Montoursville, Lycoming County, who is a grandmother of five and a snowbird who stays busy as a seasonal worker at Disney World.
* Kelli Mercurio, of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, who is a social worker and the mother of two.
* Carol Miele, of Albrightsville, Monroe County, a retired Registered Nurse and a mother of two whose poetry was published in the nationally recognized Living Beyond Breast Cancer newsletter.
WILKES-BARRE - Ten northeastern Pennsylvania residents recently took the brave step of sharing their personal experiences with breast cancer to inspire others who are facing the disease. Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BCNEPA) has collected their stories and photos for the company's 12th annual "Gallery of Hope."
Created by BCNEPA in 2000, the Gallery of Hope is a traveling display designed to educate the public about the importance of early detection and treatment in the fight against breast cancer. Beginning this month, the 2012 Gallery is available to exhibit throughout northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.
Wayne County Honoree
This year's Gallery of Hope includes Wayne County resident Carol Reed of Lake Ariel, who was diagnosed with cancer at age 34. During a routine annual exam, what she thought was an allergic reaction turned out to be a cancerous lump.
"My husband Kurt and I were newlyweds at the time, and suddenly we were faced with my cancer diagnosis," she recalls.
Throughout her diagnosis and recovery, Reed continued to work as an assistant professor at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) where she recently participated in the "Lights of Hope" event, an annual fundraiser benefiting the American Cancer Society.
Reed's message to women everywhere is that breast cancer can affect anyone at any age. And she stresses the importance of annual exams and monthly self-exams, especially for younger women not yet having regular mammograms. "If not for my annual exam," she says, "my cancer would not have been detected."
Other Honorees
In addition to Reed, the 2012 Gallery of Hope recognizes:
* Carmine Ann Swirble, of Hazleton, Luzerne County, who is the head cook at Hazleton General Hospital and a grandmother of two.
* Carmina Rinkunas, of Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, an attorney and a mother of three who recently completed the two-day, 39.3 mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York City.
* Sandra Connor, of Clifford, Susquehanna County, who is a two-time cancer survivor and grandmother of five.
* Melissa Telesk, of Factoryville, Wyoming County, who is a pre-school teacher and mother of two.
* Jayne Reynolds, of Montoursville, Lycoming County, who is a grandmother of five and a snowbird who stays busy as a seasonal worker at Disney World.
* Kelli Mercurio, of Stroudsburg, Monroe County, who is a social worker and the mother of two.
* Carol Miele, of Albrightsville, Monroe County, a retired Registered Nurse and a mother of two whose poetry was published in the nationally recognized Living Beyond Breast Cancer newsletter.
* Cheryl Scartelli, of Tafton, Pike County, who is a retirement consultant and a mother of two.
* Melody Collins, of Wyoming, Luzerne County, who is a graduate student and mother of one.
About the Gallery of Hope
Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania created the Gallery of Hope in 2000. The nomination process is open year-round. To nominate a breast cancer survivor, or to request the Gallery of Hope as an exhibit at your facility or event, please contact Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania through the Gallery of Hope website at www.bcnepa.com/hope.
About Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania
Headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCNEPA offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to more than 540,000 individuals in 13 counties in northeastern and north central Pennsylvania. The company's mission is to provide innovative wellness solutions that increase access to high-quality, affordable health care and promote personal accountability.
