Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Cancer Assistance hosted a Cancer Awareness Night during the Bears and Lady Bears final district game on Friday night. The player, coaches, fans, pep band, and cheerleaders supported the night by wearing tee shirts and a lot of pink.

The group sold tee shirts, held a 50/50 drawing, offered face painting and auctioned a set UK basketball tickets.  Donna Taylor won the 50/50 drawing and Connie and Doug Benefield bought the UK basketball tickets.  The tickets were donated by Senator C.B. Embry Jr. and auctioned by Bruce White, of White Realty.

Between the Lady Bears and Bears games cancer survivor Pam McKinney spoke to the nearly packed gym. 
"In July, 2014 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. So began my journey that many of you here tonight are going thru or have gone thru or know someone who is going thru it.  A journey of doing battle with what I call the “Demon Cancer”.  I started my journey with many doctor visits, tests, scans, bi-lateral mastectomy and last but not least Chemo. This for me included many, many trips to Nashville.  Today, I can purchase gas for $1.65 a gallon.  But two years ago, it was pretty close to $4 a gallon. Not to mention medical bills piling up very quickly.  Going thru all of this was hard enough, but sometimes asking for help can even be harder.
A good friend told me about Butler County Cancer Assistance.  She said they helped people in Butler County who were diagnosed with cancer and were having a difficult time financially.  I had never heard of the group.  I called them first to see if I could apply.  I spoke with Coleen Bratcher and she said, “Sure come by, pick up the application, and we would be happy to help you.”
So, that is exactly what I did.  I thought I would be picking up a stack of papers that I would have to take everywhere to have signed, but that was not the case.  Richie and Coleen were so kind, friendly, and helpful.  They made the process very easy for someone who already had a lot of things to deal with.  I qualified quickly and received gas funds to help me make the several required trips to Nashville.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men and one in three women will develop cancer during their lifetime.  Those are staggering odds.  Today, by the grace of God, I am cancer free.  Due to assistance from Butler County Cancer Assistance, I am also medical debt free.  Tonight I want to honor and thank this wonderful group of people for all that they have done for me and our county, please spread the word and support Butler County Cancer Assistance."

At the end of the evening Richie Bratcher announced that Butler County Cancer Assistance had raised $1,622. 

*Butler County Cancer Assistance is a non-profit organization that raises money for Butler County cancer patients.  There are no paid positions, volunteers only, and all money raised goes directly to patients.