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Ruth’s Place Walk for Hope highlights resources for women

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GM-UAW talks take turn for worse; settlement not near

<p>In our fast-paced world, driven by technology, it is no wonder that the quiet simplicity of the Amish lifestyle continues to fascinate. Away from the complexity of the modern world, their culture is driven by a Christian belief in mutual aid.</p><p>As a community, the Amish are committed to helping each other &#8211; which is very evident when it is time for a &#8220;barn raising.&#8221; Good will for one&#8217;s neighbor translates into free labor and hard work &#8211; the combination of which results in a structure that supports the needs of their largely agricultural community.</p><p>While Northeastern Pennsylvania isn&#8217;t home to many Amish, their principles of goodwill, community and hard work are deeply rooted in our region&#8217;s own people, who also come together in times of need.</p><p>Pittston native Barbara Sciandra can attest to that.</p><p>At 34 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after the birth of her third child. &#8220;I was breastfeeding and I knew something wasn&#8217;t right.&#8221; Her family, friends and the community came together to support her in her recovery. Two years later, through a grass-roots effort, the first Paint Pittston Pink fundraiser was born. Barb and her team of volunteers raised and donated $30,000 to breast cancer research that year.</p><p>After six years, PPP hit its goal of $100,000 this past weekend, bringing the total donation to nearly half a million dollars.</p><p>&#8220;Never in a million years would I have thought this would happen,&#8221; says Barb. &#8220;We try and make it a fun event &#8211; everything is upbeat. Our committee of 20 volunteers has done such a great job. We have only had a few corporate sponsors so far. Most of our donations come from hard-working families, like ours, who give $5, $10 or pay $20 to run in our race and all the money goes to breast cancer research. The men who participated in the Gentleman&#8217;s Dash helped push the fundraiser over the top this year &#8211; bringing in over $80,000 themselves.&#8221;</p><p>According to statistics from the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, the rates of female breast cancer in our region are 5 percent lower than the national average &#8211; which is good. However, it is still the most common cancer in women. A small percentage of men are also at risk for breast cancer, but their highest risk lies in prostate, lung and colon cancers.</p><p>Karen Ryczak, the Cancer Institute&#8217;s surveillance coordinator, recommends evidence based screenings and taking steps to reduce cancer risk. &#8220;A relationship with a primary care physician is critical to help determine when an individual should be screened for a particular type of cancer. A healthy diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, not using tobacco products, and keeping up to date with screenings can lower the risk of cancer in most individuals.&#8221;</p><p>Barb and her husband, both Pittston natives, returned to the region from Chicago when her father passed away several years ago. &#8220;I am so incredibly grateful to be living here. They say we are &#8220;The Valley with a Heart&#8221; &#8211; and we are. I don&#8217;t know if we would have received such an outpouring of support if we were living in a big city. In such a tight community like ours, people come together in times of need &#8211; it really has been amazing.&#8221;</p><p>Paint Pittston Pink is one of Northeastern Pennsylvania&#8217;s own version of a &#8220;barn raising.&#8221; In some ways, we are a simple people too &#8211; hard workers, with heart, empathy and resilience. We lock arms, when necessary, to face the enemy. In this case, it is cancer.</p><p>Thank you to Barb, the PPP team, and the residents of NEPA who supported this cause any many others like it. You are making a tangible difference. We are strong. Together we are stronger. And together we are making it happen.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Susan Magnotta</p><p>Institute Insights</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Susan Magnotta is Director of Community Outreach at The Institute. Her column appears every other Monday.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Institute Insights: Northeastern PA’s own version of a barn raising