Local woman donates Breast Cancer Awareness tree
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ELKINS – In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a local woman designed and donated a handcrafted tree to the Mammography Department at Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center.
Elkins resident Betty Hall created and decorated the tree with handmade pink ribbons and ornaments to serve as a reminder of the importance of early detection and staying up-to-date on recommended mammograms.
“I wanted to do this to remind people to take care of themselves and make sure they get all of their testing done,” Hall said. “If cancer is caught early there is a good chance to beat it with everything that is going on in the medical world these days. We have come a long way and if you catch it early and detect it early you can basically save your own life.”
Hall said her husband, James, who is a retired Putnam County police officer and chemical plant worker, helped with the tree project.
“He (James) supervised and he would come in while I was making it what it needed and how it looked,” Hall said. “Usually he would just tell me it was perfect no matter if it was or not. But he helped me out a lot, especially with the spray painting and stuff like that. Back in the day we didn’t have a chance, now we do.”
Hall said it was a special moment when she and Hames presented the tree to the Mammography Department and nurses Debbie Howell and Becky Moore.
“The people at the hospital were tickled to death when I brought the tree in,” Hall said. “The public relations person (Tracy Fath) was very excited when I arrived with the tree and the people who were coming out of the patient rooms really loved the tree.”
Hall, a former postal worker, who retired three years ago, said she started spreading information about Breast Cancer Awareness when she was still employed.
“Before I retired, my boss was wanting the employees to do a little program where we promoted something that we were passionate about,” Hall said. “October is the month where the postal service sells Breast Cancer Awareness stamps and they donate to the cause. So, I chose that as the thing I wanted to do something with.”
Like many, Hall said breast cancer has hit close to home after a relative was diagnosed.
“I have a daughter-in-law that is in Stage 4 breast cancer and she is being treated by CMAC in Charleston,” Hall said. “It’s not just important for women, but men as well because they can get it too. Cancer is not prejudiced; it can hit anybody at any time.”
Since retiring, Hall said she spends most of her time working on crafts, making items like wreaths, t-shirts, resin art, trophies, and awards.
Breast Cancer Awareness month takes place every year in October to promote early detection, education and patient support. The universal symbol for Breast Cancer Awareness is a pink ribbon, which is used for education and fundraising campaigns.