Letter to the Editor: WCCOL Board of Trustees invites community to party at Impact Coffee

This is personal. Cancer really sucks. Approximately 30 years ago a small group of people were feeling overwhelmed by the cancer stories in their lives. This overwhelming feeling inspired them to take action. They asked Winneshiek Medical Center (WinnMed) to join them by supporting their idea of starting a "First Time" mammogram program. This program would encourage women to get a mammogram and receive information about breast cancer and self-examination. Participants also received a gift of $10. Although successful, it did not take long before it was evident that this approach was just not enough. So, this very determined group held meetings with representatives from Winneshiek Medical Center, Gunderson Decorah Clinic and Hacker Nelson. They were also joined by Steve Belay and in 1998 they formed Winneshiek County Celebration of Life (WCCOL) as a non-profit organization. Continuing with cancer information, they also created a program that gives free mammogram screenings to individuals who are non-insured and under-insured. The first 11 years, through amazing donations, WCCOL gave 650 women life-saving and loving care through WCCOL programs. A program that sends fuel and food cards to individuals that are in active treatment of cancer was added. These programs touch about 70 individuals a year. This year will be WCCOL's 25th anniversary as a non-profit. A celebration of this milestone is scheduled for Friday, November 3rd from 4 to 9 p.m. at Impact Coffee. This celebration is for all cancer survivors, their families, all past and present board members and our supporters. Everyone from this amazing community is invited to come and celebrate the effort that has been started and will continue against cancer. For more information about this program, go to our Facebook page or our website www.winneshiekcol.com. Thank You for your support of this work. The Winneshiek County Celebration of Life Board of Trustees: Stephanie Cenek, Angela Hansen, Janelle Halverson, Peggy Lensing, Deb Tekippe , Margaret Walter, Julie Wurtzel, and Maureen Yahr