Ford "Warriors In Pink" Quilt Presented To Magee-Womens Hospital

Special quilts honor women and Magee-Womens Breast Cancer Program of UPMC Cancer Centers for strength and commitment to fighting the disease.

Pittsburgh, PA, October 2, 2009 - Representatives from Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the Pennsylvania breast cancer survivor community will be at the unveiling of the Ford “Warriors in Pink” Quilt. The quilt, which will be a permanent fixture at Magee, is comprised of handmade patches of remembrance, dedication, or celebration. Four additional hand-made “Warriors in Pink” Quilts will also be presented to local women selected in a random drawing. The winners will share their stories about how breast cancer has impacted their lives. The event will take place at 10 a.m., on Monday, October 5.

About 1,000 people created personalized patches at this year’s Pittsburgh Race for the Cure to recognize all of the warriors who stand up to breast cancer. The Neighborhood Ford Store sponsored the “Patchwork Station” and had the patches sewn together to create the Ford “Warriors in Pink” Quilts.

At the event, Rachel Jankowitz, MD, will receive the quilt on behalf of Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC from Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s Debra Lanzarotta, owner of Crivelli Ford in Aliquippa, Pa. and breast cancer survivor Kathy Wagler, and quilter Muriel Petschke.

The winners will share their stories about what the quilt means to them and what their plans are for these symbols of hope. The winners, speaking for the community will be: Sherry Germusa of Georgetown, Pa., who made patches for several women in her life who have overcome breast cancer and for her aunt currently going through treatment at Magee; Kara Nickholds of Langeloth, Pa., whose mother is a breast cancer survivor; Christine Davis of McKees Rocks, Pa., who just celebrated her two-year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor; and Lynn Schwartzmiller of Pittsburgh, whose sister is a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at 32.

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