Pink is in the air every October as families, businesses and even sports teams often pay homage to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a month dedicated to reminding others to perform self-checks and get regular screenings.
One group of friends in South Carolina lost their dear friend Suzy McGrane to breast cancer in October 2005. She was diagnosed at age 28, beat cancer and helped others until it returned and she lost her fight. But McGrane’s effort was not in vain, and her friends – who started Save Our Suzy when she was in cancer treatment – have continued working hard to keep her memory and her passion for helping others alive, renaming the nonprofit organization Share Our Suzy (SOS) after she passed away.
“Suzy was a friend of ours at University of South Carolina, and then she moved part-time to Charleston, spending her time between there and Columbia post-college. She was a friend of most of our current board members,” said Stephanie Godfrey. “Suzy’s fight with cancer taught us about the real needs of breast cancer patients. We learned how difficult it could be to make ends meet while paying medical bills and being unable to work due to treatment. This all got started because we wanted to help Suzy.”
The volunteer-based group gives breast cancer patients a chance to focus solely on recovery, rather than financial issues that are hard to manage when expenses rise and ability to work decreases. Funds raised cover a range of needs, from wigs and prosthetics to childcare, gas, utility bills, medication assistance and more.
“Imagine trying to decide if you can go have your chemo treatment when you don’t have the money to pay for childcare, gas or transportation,” Godfrey said. “Imagine fighting cancer while also struggling to meet your mortgage, pay your bills or forgo seeing extended family.” She added that other items like wigs and prosthetics help with self-esteem.
One recipient of SOS’s funds – a single mother of two – expressed her gratitude for the nonprofit. “I thought hearing that I had breast cancer would be the worst thing. Turns out worrying about how I am going to pay my bills during treatment is much worse,” she said of SOS. “It means everything to me. I am so grateful to you and the people who donate to you.”
Another patient added, “SOS Lowcountry is a godsend and you have helped me stop worrying so much. Thank you to all the strangers out there who are giving money to help people like me.”
SOS is often discovered by breast cancer patients through word of mouth, and they also work closely with the staff at Roper Hospital, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and more local providers. There are now two chapters of Share Our Suzy, including SOS Lowcountry and SOS Columbia.
Throughout the year SOS is the beneficiary of many charitable events, and their contributions go straight to breast cancer patients in need of financial help. Funds raised by events like the Carolina Ladies Billfish Classic, South Carolina Stingrays’ Pink in the Rink game and several golf tournaments have allowed the group to donate over $1 million. Local businesses like Pure Barre, The Works and Home Team BBQ have held events and sold items to help contribute as well.
SOS will be holding a Supper for Suzy event in September. October is very popular for SOS, as restaurants around town like SOL Southwest Kitchen and Bon Banh Mi have specials benefitting the nonprofit. Last year, Godfrey said, Charleston Sports Pub raised more than $10,000 just by selling t-shirts.
October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month shines brightly due to it being the most common type of cancer for women – except for skin cancers – but there are other cancer awareness months throughout the year that are also making a difference. Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month, each September, raises awareness of symptoms, risk factors, prevention and early detection of cervical and other gynecological cancers.
While SOS provides support specifically for women with breast cancer, there are many organizations available that support the similar needs of people with other types of cancer. If you or a loved one are in cancer treatment of any kind and need support, contact your hospital team to find organizations that can help specific to cancer diagnoses and needs.
By Anne Toole
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