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Walk raises $8,500 for DC Cancer Unit

Theresa Proudfit/Daily News Photo. A CHECK FOR $8,500 was presented to the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet from proceeds of the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk held at Edwards Automotive in Iron Mountain on Sept. 30. Shown here from left making the donation are Cole Smith of Systems Control, Diane Schabo of the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet, Wade Edwards of Edwards Chevrolet, Jody Beauchamp and Mick Gayan of First National Bank & Trust, Heather Zahn of Dickinson County Healthcare System, and Amy Ermi of BOSS Snowplow.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The recent Breast Cancer Awareness walk netted $8,500 for the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet.

More than 560 people took part in the 4-mile fun walk to honor breast cancer survivors and at the same time raise money.

The event last year raised $7,586 and had 500 participants. Each year since the walk started in 2015, more people have participated and more money has been raised.

Edwards Automotive in Iron Mountain provided free T-shirts for those involved to wear and donated $5 for each person who walked in the event.

Donations also were made by First National Bank & Trust, BOSS Snowplow, Systems Control, CCI Systems and Dickinson County Healthcare System, who helped sponsor the event. These businesses also made donations for their employees, increasing the amount of funds raised to support this cause.

The walk was free, but organizers encouraged participants to raise funds and help increase the overall donation to the Cancer Unit Loan Closet.

“We continue to be amazed by the support of our community as this event grows,” said Wade Edwards, vice president of Edwards Automotive. “We appreciate our sponsors’ support and all the participants who came out to help make an impact on our local cancer loan closet.”

This year, the Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post got involved in the walk by providing a squad car to assist in traffic control during the event. The squad car also was decorated with a pink decal from Edwards Chevrolet to show its support for Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Dickinson County Cancer Loan Closet provides many different kinds of services to cancer patients, including loaning a needed piece of medical equipment, helping with the cost of prescriptions, travel expenses to get to medical appointments or provide someone to talk to after receiving that cancer diagnosis.

The organization is run completely by volunteers and has assisted both cancer and non-cancer patients since 2001. If equipment is not being used by cancer patients, the agency can loan it out to other patients needing it.

Equipments has been purchased and donated to the unit and includes wheelchairs, over bed tables, commodes, canes, walkers, electric lift chairs, shower chairs, incontinence pads and underwear, wigs, hats and scarves.

The DCCU Loan Closet can put 95 to 96 percent of the support it receives back out to help clients, since it is run by volunteers. The only expenses are utilities for the office and some office supplies.

The DCCU Loan Closet is at 201 E. Breitung Ave. in Kingsford and can be reached at 906-776-0966.

Linda Lobeck can be reached at llobeck@ironmountaindailynews.com or 906-774-2772, ext. 29.

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