Bristol Hospital officials teamed up with Harvest Bakery Thursday to raise money for women who can’t afford to regularly have mammograms.
For the second year in a row, the bakery hosted a fundraiser with a pink 1971 Volkswagen Beetle parked outside its building at 84 Farmington Ave. Patrons who donated $5 received a pink cupcake and got to sign the Beetle, which was donated by Ray’s CARSTAR Autobody in Terryville. The event was done in conjunction with October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“We’ve done very well,” said Kathy Albano, breast health program coordinator and navigator at Bristol Hospital’s Beekley Center for Breast Health and Wellness. She added that by early afternoon more than $600 had been donated with an expected rush of Harvest customers to come by later in the day.
According to Chris Boyle, hospital spokesman, the fundraiser last year generated more than $1,400 that went to Beekley, allowing the center to provide mammograms for women who are either uninsured or underinsured.
“It’s amazing how generous people are,” Albano said. “So many people have been touched by breast cancer.”
“We have some people giving $20, $10,” Albano continued. “And some people can only give a dollar, and that’s fine.”
In addition to the funds the event generates, Albano said, it also brings awareness to breast cancer.
“Some people have stopped by and asked us questions,” she said.
Albano and Boyle added that Bristol Hospital officials are very grateful to Harvest Bakery for hosting the fundraiser.
“It’s a great partnership,” Albano said. “It’s the perfect location, right on Route 6.”
Bristol resident Cindy Guendert, a breast cancer survivor, visited the fundraiser to show her support. She said the staff at Beekley was amazing during her battle with cancer.
Friday, Guendert said, “is one year since my last treatment.”
“Beekley was amazing,” said Guendert, as she hugged Albano.
Guendert said she never even had to worry about making her next appointment while she was getting treatment, as that was all done by Albano. Albano was also able to sit down and speak with Guendert’s son about everything his mother was going through, which Guendert said helped tremendously.
“I was really lucky,” Guendert said.