The Daily Press

The 3 Breastkeeters continue to help local patients battling cancer

By Amy Cherry Staff Writer

ST. MARYS - In a short three year time period The 3 Breastkeeters organization based in St. Marys has succeeded in provided $25,000 in gas cards to patients from Elk County who travel out of the area for cancer treatments and appointments.

The group’s main fundraiser is a dice run which was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year the event came back stronger than before in raising $4,000 in one day.

“This is the most we have raised in one shot. It was very much needed,” said Darlene Eckert, one of the founding members of the group.

The 3 Breastkeeters were formed by Darlene Eckert, Mary Lou Zuchelli and the late Chris Rieder as they have all battled breast cancer. Diagnosed just weeks apart, the women were all graduates of the St. Marys Area High School Class of 1976. Eckert resides in St. Marys while Zuchelli lives in Treasure Lake and is a nurse with Penn Highlands Healthcare. Rieder was also from St. Marys and operated her own small business.

The 2021 dice run took place on Sunday, Sept. 26 at the Wildwoods Bar and Grill on Washington Street in St. Marys.

Of that money raised at the event, almost $2,000 was collected as part of a prize auction with many prizes donated by local businesses and individuals. Eckert’s granddaughters earned $200 for the organization by selling their homemade bracelets during the event as well.

“I am so proud,” Eckert said. “Never did I think it (The 3 Breastkeeters) was going to be this successful.”

The gas cards are distributed in $25 increments although a patient can receive multiple gift cards. They are available at Penn Highland Healthcare’s Hahne Cancer Center in DuBois in both the chemotherapy and radiation departments who have each been presented with $1,000 in gas cards. Two staff members working in each department provides the gas cards to Elk County patients.

Eckert emphasized the importance of gas cards as cancer patients from Elk County typically are traveling anywhere from DuBois, Pittsburgh and Cleveland to receive treatment. She said those fighting breast cancer typically have radiation treatments daily for 29 days, except on weekends. Prostate cancer patients usually attend 39 treatments as part of their protocol.

“This program is for those battling all cancers,” Eckert emphasized.

Those interested in donating to the organization can send monetary contributions to Darlene Eckert, 102 Elk Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857.

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