The Village of Lakeview street crew has installed pink flags that support the Logan County Cancer Society and countywide efforts to highlight breast cancer awareness month during October. Paint LoCo Pink activities begin in Lakeview this evening, followed Thursday events in Bellefontaine and West Liberty. (DOWNTOWN LAKEVIEW PHOTO)
Activities begin tonight in Lakeview, continue Thursday in Bellefontaine, West Liberty
Many parts of Logan County will be lighting up pink, starting this week and continuing throughout October, in a collaborative effort to recognize and remember those currently going through treatment for breast cancer, survivors who endured the difficulties of the disease and in memory of loved ones gone too soon after their courageous battles.
The Paint LoCo Pink festivities this year have spread to Lakeview, where the event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 27, in the downtown area. Light refreshments will be served as a speaker from the Logan County Cancer Society shares about breast cancer awareness and honors local survivors.
The Lakeview Business Group will have the downtown decked out with pink ribbon flags, pink lights, breast cancer awareness banners and several storefront windows decorated pink for the entire month of October, representative Brenda Moots said.
Then Thursday, Sept. 28, the Logan County Courthouse fountain in downtown Bellefontaine is lit up for a similar short ceremony at 6 p.m.
In West Liberty, activities including a health fair and mobile mammography also take place throughout the day Thursday, where the light up celebration is staged at 7:30 p.m. in the town hall gazebo on the north lawn, followed by a survivor’s lap of the downtown decorated storefronts.
Pre-registered survivors at the three events this week are treated to commemorative T-shirts. Friends, family and their community are invited to join them in support.
In 2021, the “pink out” began with city resident Roni Lile spearheading the effort to light up downtown Bellefontaine buildings in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Logan County Cancer Society joined in the cause, and with the goal of raising funds to support county residents with any cancer diagnosis.
Lile was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2019 and underwent a double mastectomy in October that year.
“The pink out, it’s not for me; I feel so fortunate in the course of my treatment,” she noted as the activities began two years ago. “But, I know too many people who have fought this disease and how much it has affected them. I also know people who are still fighting it, including some women who are fighting for their lives.
“We want this display to be a sign of hope and to let these individuals know we support them and are thinking of them on their most difficult days.”
Moots, owner of The Depot and Indian Lake Outfitters, said Lakeview also wanted to jump on board with Paint LoCo Pink this year to spread the support to breast cancer survivors to the Indian Lake region.
“Any local cause that helps our community, neighbors, friends and family in a positive way is important to us at The Depot and Indian Lake Outfitters. We are happy to promote and support those various causes anyway we can, especially the Logan County Cancer Society.
“Our family, like many others, is no stranger to loss when it comes to cancer. With our family personally receiving support from the organization in time of illness and treatment, it’s one of the biggest reasons we want to be involved and give back.
“We are honored to support the Logan County Cancer Society through our businesses, The Depot and Indian Lake Outfitters, but more excited to share the campaign with our local community partners in the Village of Lakeview to Paint LoCo Pink as a whole with the Lakeview Business Group.”
Thursday in West Liberty, mobile mammography offered by Mercy Health is available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. by the town hall, 201 N. Detroit St. Individuals can register for an appointment by calling (937) 523-9332. Appointments are approximately 15 minutes when pre-registered. Walk-ins are welcome, but not guaranteed.
Mammograms are covered by most health insurance plans and participants should check with their insurance to assure that Mercy Health is an in-network provider for their plan. Take a photo ID to your appointment.
In addition, the health fair runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Opera House. Health screenings will include blood pressure checks, skin cancer screenings and much more.
Organizations on site include Maze Hearing, Prescription Bliss, Peak Performance Holistic Health, Kayatin Chiropractic, Hickory Medical, Affiliated Dermatology, Fearless Strength and Conditioning, Homegrown Yoga and Pilates, Anytime Fitness, Heaven’s Dew and Mary Rutan Health, village clerk/treasurer Cindee Boyd said.
Survivors also are treated to a meal at the West Liberty Firehouse prior to the light up ceremony.
The West Liberty Pink Out is coordinated with the Logan County Cancer Society partnering with the West Liberty Pink Out Committee.
Then during October, a West Liberty survivors’ parade is planned for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 during pre-game festivities at the West Liberty-Salem vs. Mechanicsburg football game.
Fans at the game are encouraged to wear pink to celebrate breast cancer survivors.
Thought the month as well, individuals and businesses wanting to support Paint LoCo
Pink can still purchase pink flags for $100 each in honor or memory of a loved one for display in any of the three downtown locations. An online link for purchases is available at the Logan County Cancer Society’s Facebook page.
Pink light bulbs also are available for purchase at Citizens Federal Savings & Loan in Bellefontaine, the West Liberty Town Hall, Sweetie Pie’s Baked Goods and Coffee Shop, and The Peoples Savings and Loan Company, while supplies last.
A quilt raffle also takes place throughout October to benefit the Logan County Cancer Society. Tickets can be purchased at Mick’s Used Furniture, 815 S. Main St., during business hours, and at the First Friday’s Bellefontaine Pumpkin Walk Oct. 6; and at several area Friday night football games in Logan County. The tickets are $1 a piece or six for $5 for the handmade quilt created by Tara Joseph, Lile said.
Various restaurants and businesses around Logan County also will offer specialty items for purchase during October, such as desserts, appetizers and drinks, with proceeds given to the Logan County Cancer Society.
Last year, Christie Barns said Paint LoCo Pink raised $15,000 for the Logan County Cancer Society. During 2022, the Logan County Cancer Society provided $194,000 in assistance to 240 county residents with treatment-related expenses for a cancer diagnosis.
“This year, we will probably exceed last year’s totals, with the number of people who have come in so far,” Barns said.
For anyone with a cancer diagnosis, they can apply to the Logan County Cancer Society by calling the Mary Rutan Hospital Care Coordination Department at (937) 599-7002.
A quilt created by Tara Joseph is being raffled during the next month for Paint LoCo Pink and to support the Logan County Cancer Society. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
