WINDBER — As friends and neighbors, Theresa Will and Janet Weis have shared life’s joys and sorrows for almost 50 years.
They both looked back with joy on one of their shared sorrows Monday, joining Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center’s Pathways to Discoveries program honoring the community and breast cancer survivors.
Weis is a 36-year survivor, and Will is a 21-year survivor.
“When we had our cancer, life was very different, and so was the hospital, and so was medicine,” Will said. “I’m thrilled and honored to have this place here in our community.”
The friends were among about 250 people who braved cold, biting winds to take part in the candlelight celebration in a partially-heated tent outside the breast care center.
Windber leaders organized the event to join in celebrating with survivors, while honoring those who succumbed to cancer.
“We wanted the community to have the opportunity to participate in this event,” said Vicki Meier, executive director of foundations.
Galliker’s Dairy representatives presented a $5,000 donation and ProCare Health and Fitness of Altoona added $1,700. All funds will be used to provide mammograms for the uninsured and underinsured, said Patti Felton, director of the breast center.
“This is a tribute to survival,” Felton told the survivors and friends. “Tonight is about celebration: Celebration of surviving cancer; celebration of love and support; celebration of life.”
U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, and his wife, Joyce, also spoke.
“This is the really gratifying part of my business: When you can do something that really has an impact on people,” John Murtha said. “I’m so proud of all of you for what you’ve gone through.”
“I am proud to be an advocate for all of you wonderful and courageous breast cancer survivors,” Joyce Murtha said.
The evening concluded with the reading of more than 300 names of cancer survivors and those who died.
