'Chain of Caring' to Decorate North Adams
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Each link in the paper chain bears the name and home town of a single person — "someone you care about or who cares about you," said Polly Macpherson, program manager. Begun in 2008, the chain includes more than 1,500 links with names of people from 33 states and three foreign countries.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a national initiative to make people aware of ways to prevent, treat, and find a cure for the many forms of breast cancer.
"In our corner of Northern Berkshire, it has become a visual representation of how interdependent and connected our small communities are, and how deeply we care for one another," said Macpherson. "It is a celebration of the power of many working together to accomplish common goals ... in this case to support all those dealing with breast cancer.
"For example, many of us wear bracelets, pins, or other memorabilia to advocate for increased cancer research, to celebrate being a survivor, or just to show our support for a friend or family member. This Chain is a visible representation to all those who visit Berkshire County of our caring and our commitment."
Contributions will help provide breast-health educational materials, counseling, screening, and outreach for all women in the community. The contributions will also help to provide patient navigation and support services for women who are newly diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment, recovering, or who live among us as survivors.
The "chain" consists of pink Tyvek wristbands upon which people write the first name and hometown of someone they care about or who cares about them. The bands are then linked together to create a long Chain of Caring representing the concept of the strength of uniting and working together for the same cause… to find better treatment and cures for breast cancer. The bands are printed with the phrase "REACH Out ~ Link Up ~ Connect for a Cure."
Links are $1 each and may be purchased throughout the month of October at the North Adams Library, in the hospital gift shop, the Women's Exchange in Williamstown or at the REACH for Community Health offices on the hospital campus. Links will also be for sale at a variety of community events in October.
All of the links will be strung together to form a long chain that will be displayed on Main Street. The links will be hung from trees and on the median, and in and around local participating businesses and organizations.
"None of this could have happened without the ongoing support of Mayor John Barrett. He has been instrumental in the continuing effort to engage and support Berkshire County women about their breast health," said Reach Executive Director Deborah Simmons.
Reach for Breast Health, a program of North Adams Regional Hospital, offers breast health education, personalized support and counseling for women diagnosed with cancer, information and referral services, complementary care resources and community advocacy.
For more information on Reach or on the Chain of Caring, call 413-664-5326.
