‘Quilts for the Cure’ on Display at Oglebayfest

Derek Redd

WHEELING -- While caring for and supporting breast cancer patients and survivors is a yearlong calling, it takes special focus in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Neighborhood Ford Store is shining a spotlight on breast cancer awareness this weekend at one of the Ohio Valley's marquee events, Oglebayfest.

Neighborhood Ford has set up a display of its Warrior Quilts, quilts meant to comfort and inspire breast cancer patients, as part of its "Quilts for the Cure" drive at the Ohio County Fair section of Oglebayfest. The quilts feature squares with words of encouragement designed by community members. The squares are then sewn into quilts by area volunteers.

Many of those volunteers display their wares at Oglebayfest, said Neighborhood Ford Store PR Manager Nancy Lewis.

Mike DeArdo of Neighborhood Ford Stores said "Quilts for the Cure" isn't just important for breast cancer patients, but for the quilt volunteers and the entire community.

"We as human beings all have to do something to help," he said. "This is a good cause. It's good comfort for families and patients."

Phillip Carl, director of marketing and communications for WVU Medicine Wheeling, Reynolds Memorial and Wetzel County hospitals, said patients and their families appreciate the community's support and the boost those quilts can bring during cancer treatment.

"When people walk in and they see those quilts, or the mini-quilts next to the mammography machine, it's an immediate message that says you're not alone," he said. "You're not the first, you're not the only, you're not the last. We are here for you and going through this with you and want to help with any effort to remove stress in an already stressful time."

Also on display Friday was a new device for mastectomy patients, the SupportBelt. The device is a contoured belt made with compound foam wrapped in recycled plastic fabric that wraps around a regular seat belt. It relieves pressure and reduces chest discomfort.

Lewis said that mastectomy patients sometimes wear seatbelts improperly or stop driving altogether due to the pain the shoulder strap causes across their chests. This SupportBelt makes driving more comfortable.

The SupportBelt will be available at no cost for Ford vehicle owners at www.merchandise.ford.com.