By Zoe Rose
Over the past eleven years, the local nonprofit Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) has distributed 18,000 breast cancer awareness booklets throughout Montana, providing women with valuable information at a time when answers can be especially important.
The sisterhood of breast cancer survivors is joined by a dedicated group of supporters who recognize that breast cancer touches the lives of countless women, their families and their friends. Together, these women have joined in the effort to educate, encourage and support others facing breast cancer.
The annual BCA Art Gala helps raise the money necessary to produce and distribute the booklets and support BCA’s ongoing public service announcement campaign. This year’s Gala is scheduled for October 17 atthe Shonkin Event Center in Great Falls.
For Joanne Sanford, who has worked alongside breast cancer survivor Hope Good at Treasure State Lifestyles Montana magazine for more than twenty years, becoming a supporter was an easy decision.
“When Hope got cancer and saw the need for an informative booklet, other friends and I stepped up to help with fundraising so the booklet could become a reality,” Joanne says. “The first fundraiser took place at a local art show Hope and I were involved with, and I’ve been supporting BCA ever since.”
Debbie Wiggers became involved after watching her friend and other women endure treatment and the long process of healing. She saw firsthand how difficult it could be for women to find answers to the many questions that come with a breast cancer diagnosis. “I have supported this cause for many years by assisting wherever I can, whether it is through purchases at the event, providing donations for the silent auction, or helping with setup and teardown,” Debbie says.
Anyone who has attended the Gala over the past few years may also be familiar with the homemade goodies provided by Crystal Stubblefield. “I love to bake. For this year’s Gala, I am bringing a death-by-chocolate cake, a German chocolate cake, a carrot-zucchini cake and possibly a berry-rhubarb pie or pistachio-raspberry cake,” Crystal says.
Tia Dear is another familiar face at the Gala. During the auction, she can often be seen carrying artwork around the room so prospective buyers can get a closer look. She admires Hope’s dedication to BCA and, especially, the message she shares with women facing breast cancer. “I really like the fact that Hope encourages women not to be ashamed or feel alone,” Tia says. “She just wants to help women become their own advocates in their treatment, and she wants to celebrate them all. I am grateful that I am a supporter and not a survivor, and I have so much admiration for their courage.”
Tia is equally appreciative of the people and businesses that continue to stand behind the organization. “I am also grateful to our community of wonderful sponsors and supporters who buy tables every year for the BCA event,” she says.
For the survivors themselves, the mission is deeply personal.
Marianne Frank was diagnosed with stage 3A breast cancer twenty-three years ago and understands what it feels like to suddenly enter a world filled with unfamiliar questions and uncertainty. “I know what it’s like to be that newly diagnosed cancer patient, and I want women to know there is hope and that there are answers out there in the BCA booklet,” Marianne says. Kate Bahr was there during the beginnings of the BCA booklet and vividly remembers the first days following her own diagnosis eleven years ago. “I just heard, ‘Blah, blah, blah— chemo, radiation, lumpectomy, mastectomy, pills.’ It was just too much,” Kate recalls. In the middle of that overwhelming experience came an idea. “Hope said, ‘Where do we find this information? I think we can make a magazine,’” Kate says.
That idea eventually became the BCA booklet that is now distributed across Montana.
Kate continues to support the effort in a particularly personal way. Along with the booklet, she creates and sends cards to women who have recently been diagnosed. “I make and send personal cards to women who have been newly diagnosed, with words of encouragement: ‘I’m a breast cancer survivor, too. If you need anything, please call. There are lots of us who are here for you,’” she says. “It’s my therapy and my way of supporting BCA.”
Susan Ashcraft understands just how valuable that kind of information and support can be. Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2023. After nine months of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, she reached out to a friend who had already experienced the challenges of breast cancer.
That friend was Hope. “I had been through nine months of chemo, surgery and radiation when I contacted a friend who I knew had experienced all of that,” Susan says. “She gave me the booklet I wish I had had months before!”
Susan appreciated that the booklet was straightforward and easy to read while still providing substantial information about different types of breast cancer and treatment approaches. Her experience inspired her to help make sure other women could receive that information earlier in their own journeys.
“I offered to help distribute the booklet, which I began doing as soon as I recovered enough strength to travel,” Susan says.
“I continue to do booklet distribution and now also help with raising the funds needed for updating, printing and distribution.”
Each of these women has come to BCA from a different place. Some know breast cancer through their own diagnosis and treatment. Others have watched friends and loved ones face the disease and decided they wanted to help. Together, survivors and supporters have built a sisterhood centered on education, encouragement and the simple reassurance that no woman has to search for answers alone.
Breast cancer survivors and supporters are encouraged to reach out to BCA members, become involved and help continue their mission. For more information or to get involved email hihopes2u@hotmail.com or call 406-868-9649.