SAULT STE. MARIE — A Sault Ste. Marie support group for breast cancer patients and survivors is hoping to make travelling easier and more enjoyable for residents who are receiving radiation treatment out of town.
Founded by breast cancer survivor and longtime nurse Karen Brunetta in 2021, “Breast Friends Sault Ste. Marie” invites its members to get together for dinners once a month while helping others who are going through cancer.
The group has grown to 56 active members.
“It’s just been a really positive experience for everybody,” Brunetta said. “I wanted to make sure there was support. People who were once strangers have become best friends. It’s been very uplifting for a lot of people.”
As the community learned last November, cancer patients in Sault Ste. Marie must travel to Sudbury while the Sault Area Hospital installs a new radiation unit.
Over the next five months, upwards of 200 residents undergoing radiation treatments will be expected to make the 300-kilometre trek each way, many of whom will travel multiple times.
Disappointed with the news, Breast Friends member Lynne Palumbo wanted to help.
“I thought there’s got to be something we could do,” she said. “Having to go to Sudbury when I was going through treatment, it was a bummer because you have to go away from home. Radiation is very tiring, and not being at home for that duration is difficult.”
A retired educational assistant, Palumbo came up with the idea to raise money and put together goody bags that cancer patients could take on the road with them while they travel for treatment.
The bags include mostly dollar store items, such as reading books, colouring books, puzzle books, journals, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, crayons, pens and pencils, playing cards, hand cream, fuzzy socks, Tim Hortons gift cards, gum, snacks, and homemade goodies.
“The thing about radiation is it takes longer to get set up than it does to be receiving it,” Palumbo explained. “Then you go back to wherever you’re staying, and you’ve got all this time on your hands.
“We wanted to put together things you might not think of when you’re going away,” she added. “Give them a little something to say that we’re thinking of you.”
Equating to just over $20 in fundraising per bag, Breast Friends raised enough money to package their first 50 bags earlier this month.
“Lynne’s idea just exploded,” Brunetta said. “So many people have opened up their hearts and their wallets which is really nice, and we ended up with so many beautiful donations. It makes my heart full and gives me such a great sense of purpose.”
Breast Friends members delivered the bags to the radiation department at the Sault Area Hospital on Feb. 1. Since then, hospital staff have been handing out the special packages to patients ahead of their treatments in Sudbury.
“A nurse sent me a message the other day and said the people are so thrilled,” Brunetta said. “They said they can’t believe what you guys are doing and how valuable it is for them. It’s such a positive spin on something so negative.”
By the time Sault Area Hospital has its radiation unit running again this summer, Breast Friends hopes to have packaged and shipped out 200 gift bags for travellers throughout the winter and spring.
Next week, the group intends on putting together a second batch of 50 bags.
According to their Facebook page, Breast Friends needs colouring pencils, colouring books for adults, sharpeners, highlighters, cozy socks, moist wipes, and small packages of facial tissue.
Items can be dropped off at 142 Princeton Drive by Feb. 26. E-transfers are also accepted by emailing [email protected].
Once the fundraiser concludes this summer, Palumbo said any extra items or funds that are left over will be donated to the cancer clinic.
“The Sault is amazing,” she said. “You hear so many people complaining about this community, but there’s so much good. Everybody needs that positivity.”
“So many people helped all of us individually while we were all going through our treatments,” Brunetta added. “Now, it’s our turn to help other people. We’re not limiting it to just breast cancer patients – it’s anyone with any kind of cancer.”
