Quilt created by cancer survivors

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — In its continuing quest to raise funds to bring digital mammography to Houlton, the Health Services Foundation will be raffling off a large quilt made by survivors of breast cancer.
    Created by Jo Ann Dunphy, Pam Hocking, with help from Kim Hazlett and Peggy Crane, the 90-inch by 114-inch quilt is currently hanging in a hallway at Houlton Regional Hospital. The quilt will be raffled on July 4.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
FUNDRAISER — The Health Services Foundation is raffling off a giant quilt designed and created by breast cancer survivors. The quilt will benefit the Foundation’s digital mammography campaign. Showing off the quilt are, from left, Pam Hocking, Jo Ann Dunphy, Don Woods and Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth Dulin.
    “The Foundation was absolutely delighted when approached by local quilter Jo Ann Dunphy about the possibility of having a quilt be part of the Foundation’s fundraising in support of bringing digital mammography to Houlton Regional Hospital,” said Elizabeth Dulin, executive director for the Foundation. “The resulting work of art is incredibly beautiful. This beautiful donation is a very special addition to our fundraising efforts in bringing this project toward a successful conclusion.”
    In 2001 funds were raised to purchase Sophie, the current mammography equipment, which at that time was state-of-the-art. Ten years later, the group is once again raising funds for needed mammography equipment for the local area.
    “It is vitally important that we stay ahead with the latest technology and bring digital screening to our hospital,” Dulin said.
    “I took a class on how to do one skill in quilting,” Dunphy said. “I absolutely loved it, but I realized I was wasting a lot of fabric. We probably spent about 200 hours on it.”
    The quilt was created in memory of Hope York and Jean Levasseur Pipes, who died of breast cancer.
    “The quilt was done with both of them on my mind,” Dunphy said. Dunphy herself is a survivor of breast cancer, having been diagnosed with the disease 10 years ago.
    “I battled for about three years,” she said.
    Hocking is a fellow breast cancer survivor who is about a year-and-a-half into her recovery. She is also an avid quilter.
    “It’s not as a scary as it used to be,” Hocking said. “If we can get this digital mammography equipment, it can be diagnosed so much sooner and locally. My surgeon has told me it would be beneficial for me to go somewhere that has digital mammography.”
    Don Woods, who is also a breast cancer survivor, said he is amazed at the craftsmanship in the quilt. Woods is living proof that not just women are susceptible to breast cancer. Recently, Woods had a spot removed from his temple that turned out to be melanoma.
    “These individuals know first-hand what it is like to receive a diagnosis of breast cancer as they are survivors with stories to tell,” Dulin said. “They are also so generous in giving back to the community not only in the sharing of their knowledge of this disease, but joining in community efforts to be sure our healthcare providers have the necessary means to address this healthcare issue.  They know that digital imaging, as opposed to the hospital’s current film imaging equipment, will mean all the difference in the world for superior screenings. These images can be enlarged for closer scrutiny, which is especially important in the case of women with dense breasts. However, these closer observations will not only allow for much earlier detection of a possible problem in women, but for men as well. This imaging will assist in the ability to take positive steps to begin any necessary treatment.”   
    Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and are available at the Health Services Foundation office, located inside Houlton Regional Hospital. Anyone wishing further information regarding this event, Foundation projects or programs can call the office at 207-521-2147 or visit the website at www.healthservicesfoundation.org.