Published: October 01, 2009 11:06 pm         

Beacon of Hope: Ribbons atop Vigo County Courthouse herald Breast Cancer Awareness Month

TERRE HAUTE — The dome of the Vigo County Courthouse is serving as a beacon of hope in the battle against breast cancer.

At 6:30 Thursday evening, tall pink ribbons were illuminated atop the courthouse dome in a ceremony marking October as breast cancer awareness month.

“We’re hoping to raise awareness about breast cancer and breast health,” said Gwen Hicks, board president of the Wabash Valley affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, who spoke at the ceremony. It’s also hoped the ribbons, which are eight feet tall and three feet wide, will encourage people to participate in Saturday’s Race for the Cure at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, she said.

A light rain fell as the ribbons were illuminated Thursday evening. The rain stopped and a full rainbow appeared in the eastern sky creating a giant arch over the city from north to south.

“It’s got to be a sign,” said Sally Roetker, a breast cancer survivor and an organizer of the Race for the Cure.

Roetker, 46, was diagnosed with breast cancer eight years ago, she said. With the unwavering support of her husband, Jim, she immediately became involved as a volunteer in the Susan G. Komen organization and has continued her fight through raising funds and helping educate people about breast cancer.

“The more knowledge you have, the more power you have,” Roetker said, adding the 75 percent of the funds raised by the Wabash Valley Komen organization stay in the area. The rest goes for national breast cancer research, she said.

Also at Thursday evening’s ceremony, Mayor Duke Bennett, whose wife Pam is also a breast cancer survivor, read a proclamation declaring October breast cancer awareness month in Terre Haute.

“It really says a lot about bringing our community together,” Roetker said of the pink ribbons atop the courthouse. The ribbons will remain there for the full month and return each year in October, she said.

Craig Ketner of Ketner and Sons Electric in Terre Haute was instrumental in finding the ribbons and getting them placed on the courthouse, Roetker noted.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization is working to help educate people of the Wabash Valley about breast cancer, Hicks noted. The organization recently opened an office with information and breast health materials at The Meadows, she said. The office is open Monday - Friday from 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. and Saturday noon - 4 p.m.

Roetker said after several years of progress, her breast cancer later spread. However, she is finding help from new drugs that have been developed through breast cancer research, she said.

“I guess I’m living proof that these new drugs do work,” she said.



Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.



Race for the cure

• It is still possible to register for Saturday’s Race for the Cure at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Registration forms are available at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure office in The Meadows. Same day registration will also be available the morning of the event at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Same-day registration begins at 8:30 a.m. A celebration walk is set for 10:30 a.m. and the 5K race begins at 11 a.m.

Team members can register for $20, however, all race-day registrations are $25. Individual participant registrations are $25. Kids grade 5 and under are $12 and include an additional T-shirt and a cow bell.

Students 21 and under can register for $10.