Local news co-anchor applauds 'Ribbons & Roses'

The entries were on display near the hospital's outpatient clinic entrance. Visitors were asked to vote on their favorite bra and tell the organizers what month they think each entry best represents. The bras will be featured in a calendar, which will be available for purchase after Oct. 1.

Those voting in the contest could also bid to purchase their favorite bra, by signing their name to the ballot with a contact number. Naval Hospital Jackson-ville Breast Care Case Manager Nikki Levinson-Lustgarten said the money raised would be used to offset the calendar printing costs.

To select the full-color cover photos, the group invited some special guests to view the display and pick their favorites. These guests included Naval Hospital Jacksonville Commanding Officer Capt. Raquel Bono, First Coast News Co-anchor Jeanne Blaylock, Dr. Joel Stone and local artist Waneta Araneo.

Blaylock visited the hospital on July 26. Well known for featuring the ''Buddy Check 12'' program on Channel 12 on the 12th of each month, Blaylock promotes monthly breast self-examinations and educates women on the importance of early detection.

After viewing the entries, Blaylock noted, ''every single bra has a story.'' And she said she is always impressed with the upbeat manner in which many survivors deal with this challenge. ''One thing I've found about breast cancer survivors is when they finally get to the top of the mountainæthey just beam. Some women do have the ability to smile all the way up,'' she said.

Wilma Schnell shares a few moments on camera reflecting on her experiences as a breast cancer survivor with First Coast News' Jeanne Blaylock at the Ribbon and Roses bra contest.

She noted that one of the bras on display clearly reflected this. ''I really liked them all, but there was one bra with lights on it that was particularly impressive because the artist (Sandra Pennel) said she had faith that she would come out on the bright side. I thought that was very clever, the bra actually lights up.''

Keeping faith can be challenging for these survivors, particularly when the spouse is away on deployment during treatment. Patrice Singletary is proud to be a survivor. ''I've been through this twice and I'll continue to fight.''

She noted that her husband is deployed aboard the USS Halliburton in Chile while she's home raising their kids. Through it all, she said she's been fortunate to have the support of her husband, friends and her church.

Many support group members expressed gratitude for the support they receive from Naval Hospital Jacksonville Breast Care Case Manager Nikki Levinson-Lustgarten, their primary care physicians and the other members of Ribbons & Roses.

Blaylock said she was im-pressed with this contest and she looks forward to promoting it

''When you fight breast cancer you might as well have a smile and a chuckle but it's not necessarily going to be an easy journey. I'm for anything to let people be creative and express themselves and have fun. And let's face it; some of these are pretty wild. So why not?''

Breast cancer survivor Estella Green shares her inspiration for her Ribbons and Roses bra contest entry with First Coast News' Jeanne Blaylock. Photos of the entries will be published in a calendar in October.

First Coast News ran a ''teaser'' highlighting Blaylock's participation in the Ribbons & Roses program on the July 26 evening news.

Support when you need it

For more information on the Ribbons & Roses Breast Cancer Support Group contact Nikki Levinson-Lustgarten, RN, BSN, OLN at Naval Hospital Jackson-ville. The group is open to military or civilian breast cancer survivors.

The meetings include guest speakers such as medical providers, alternative medicine practitioners and therapists.