By Meg Peters
Review Co-Editor
The Pink Ribbon Trailblazers (PRT) Free Mammogram Clinic has come full circle at the St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Breast Health Services unit, according to nonprofit founder and President Pat Nolf.
In other words, St. Joe’s has not turned anyone away from the free mammogram/ultrasound clinics since the program’s inception back in 2007.
And they are one of the only nonprofit associations partnering with the hospital that has achieved this status.
One reason is Nolf knows how to throw a good fundraiser, and the PRT has become quite popular. ?
To date, the nonprofit has raised $210,840 in local fundraising events, the cost of about 1,950 mammograms, for their goal to provide undeserved or uninsured women of Oakland County free breast health services. Each mammogram costs about $108.
Their latest donation was a $25,000 check to the St. Joseph this fall to continue funding the program. From what she can tell, the need for the free program is presenting itself more and more at each clinic.
‘I’ve seen one woman four times [throughout the clinics] and that’s good because she can just breathe a deep sigh of relief. In our last clinic we had six women come back for an ultrasound, so that shows that the need is really there,? Nolf said. ‘We’re expanding all over Oakland County. There are 35 different cities these women are coming from. I didn’t even know there were 35 cities in Oakland County.?
Helping Nolf spread the word is local photographer Henry Hopkins whose creative eye has continually produced the PRT calendar photos and series.
In its fifth year, PRT calendar sales have raised over $26,500.?
‘That’s phenomenal for calendar sales,? Nolf said.?
But she couldn’t do it without the ladies.
Each woman featured in the 2016 PRT calendar, which became available last Friday, had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Each posed in beautiful settings outside, displaying their strength and personal mantras that ‘got them through their cancer journey,? as requested by Nolf.
From the first calendar to the current, there is a visible difference in quality and design.
‘It’s amazing,? Nolf said as Miss January, who is posed with a pink bicycle behind the Orion Center at the site of its beautiful gazebo. ‘When we were sitting out in the gazebo, I said, ‘Henry, just relax. I’m not going to ask you again, because it’s a lot of work for you. He said, ‘oh no, I don’t want you to stop.??
Every five calendars purchased is equal to the cost of one mammogram.
For this, Nolf is forever grateful.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, fought off a lumpectomy, battled with a mastectomy and staph infections, and now wants to continually give back to the women going through similar experiences.
This year’s team of calendar girls say it all. From Pat, to Stephanie (diagnosed in 2002), Renee (2014), Molly (2005), Tonia (2013), Carolyn (2013), Kim (2005 and 2008), Janet (2014), Julie (2011), Michelle (2011), Kari (2006), and Joy (2013), it is easy to feel each woman’s strength lifting out of the pages.
Some of the same ladies also participated in Nolf’s first fashion show last April, and she is delighted to offer the same show this’April 21, 2016, at Boulder Pointe Golf Club in Oxford.
Sue Olds, owner of Oxford’s Boulevard Boutique, is hosting their second annual fashion show to continue the PRT goal. Stay tuned to their website www.pinkribbontrailblazers.com for upcoming information.
‘Be prepared to have a good time, with an auction, good food, and good people,? Nolf said.
Clinic dates for 2016
On January 16, April 16, July 16, and October 15, uninsured women of all ages are eligible to receive a free mammogram at the Breast Health Services unit of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital at 44405 Woodward Ave., Pontiac, MI 48341.
There are also four Wednesday afternoons a woman can call with a prescription to make a doctor appointment on March 9, June 15, September 14, and November 16.
For both rounds of clinics please call 1-800-372-6094 six weeks in advance of the clinic dates. Each woman will receive a free mammogram and free breast screening, and ultrasound if needed.