Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Pink Chair Project Highlights Inspiring Stories of Breast Cancer Survivors
Jupiter Medical Center and the Margaret W. Niedland Breast Center are proud
to present the “Pink Chair Project,” a campaign that honors
breast cancer patients and survivors and raises awareness about breast
health during the month of October.
Now in its second year, the project features chairs decorated by breast
cancer survivors and patients whose designs reflect the inspiration that
helped them navigate through their diagnosis and treatment. The chairs
will be on display at businesses in Jupiter and the surrounding communities
throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each chair is as unique as the
designer and is accompanied by a display that explains the origins of
the concept. For example:
- Honor’s chair, painted white with a blue whale as the focal point,
was inspired by the symbolism of the whale’s tail: “The whale’s
tail is considered to be a symbol of luck and joy within. The symbolism
of the whale’s tail has resonated with me throughout my journey
with breast cancer.”
- Julie’s chair serves as a canvas for a beautiful painting of the
Jupiter Lighthouse: “A breast cancer diagnosis casts you into unfamiliar
waters, where you need assistance navigating through the choppy, unpredictable
surf until your journey is complete. I find the lighthouse both beautiful
and inspirational. It is the beacon that lights my way to recovery.”
-
Allison, who says being diagnosed with cancer was “like being caught
in an unexpected storm,” found inspiration in a poem, by Emily Dickinson titled
Hope is the Thing with Feathers. Her chair features images of birds painted on a rich pink background:
“I love the symbolism and the meaning of the poem. The song of hope
sounds sweetest in the storm. The storm has passed, I’m doing well
and living each day to the fullest.”
- Jackie says the greatest lesson she learned from her breast cancer journey
is to slow down and savor life. Her chair is a beautiful beach scene,
with blue sky, sand and shells, and a cascade of photos of her with family
and friends: “I’m enjoying traveling, the beach, and most
of all, I am cherishing every moment with my wonderful family and friends.”
- Sylvia finds solace in the Biblical scripture, 1 Corinthians 13:13, which
reads, “Three things will last forever: faith, hope and love –
and the greatest of these is love. Her bright pink chair prominently features
the words faith, hope and love, along with a bra adorned with colorful
gemstones and flowers to get your attention: “Even in the challenge
that breast cancer presents, life still has beauty when we focus on faith,
hope and love.”
These stories represent just a sample of the 30 women who have been confronted
with breast cancer. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most
common cancer among American women, and it is second only to lung cancer
as the leading cause of death among women. The American Cancer Society
estimates that there are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors
in the United States – including women still being treated and those
who have completed treatment.
The Pink Chair Project also is aimed at stressing the importance of diagnostic
screening, with the goal of early diagnosis. Many of the participants’
stories incorporate that message, with some finding their cancer at its
earliest stage and others encouraging women to get their mammograms and
other diagnostic tests annually.
All of the chairs will be on display at the following locations, starting
October 1:
The Gardens Mall
- Aveda
- Bloomingdales
- Brighton Jewelry
- Bunulu
- Chico's
- Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant
- Godiva Chocolatier
- Hamilton Jewelers
- Michael Kors
- Nordstrom
- Park Avenue BBQ
- Pottery Barn Kids
- Sephora
- South Moon Under
- Vineyard Vines
Harbourside Place
- Bravo Cucina Italiana Restaurant
- Broward Design Center/BDC of Jupiter
- Jofit Women’s Golf, Tennis and Fitness Apparel
Jupiter
- Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas
- HealthePets Market
- Jupiter Branch Library
- Jupiter Community Center
- Jupiter Lighthouse Museum
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center
- Margaret W. Niedland Breast Center
- The Inspired Sewist
Palm Beach Gardens
Tequesta
West Palm Beach
- South Florida Science Center
Please visit this site throughout the month of October to see featured
survivor stories.