What happens after the breast cancer phone bank?

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CBS 58 originated the breast cancer phone bank last year.

This year it returned to a full day with the help of volunteers from Susan G Komen and many other local breast cancer organizations, including Kohl's Conversations for a Cure, Pink Shawl Initiative, ABCD among others.

"We all work together," says Komen President Nikki Panico. "We're supportive of each other of all patients."


But it begs the obvious questions as we continue to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month; what now?

"We want them to keep calling Komen," Panico answers instantly. "If women are qualified for a program, we help pay for co-pays, premiums, child care. We are definitely a resource for women and men, they get breast cancer too, who are diagnosed."

Ultimately, the goal is to find a cure for breast cancer.

Komen of Southeast Wisconsin recently handed over $1 million to a researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

"So, we're super excited about that," Panico said live on the CBS 58 News at 5. "It needs to keep going. We have to have people dedicated to finding a cure, because it will take more than one."

While most of the volunteers worked in shifts, taking time away from their families or work, one survivor in particular stayed the whole day.

That was Amberlea Childs who is manager for the Kohl's Conversation 4 a Cure program.

She recalled how keeping a journal during chemotherapy helped her muster the strength to fight back against the disease.

"Chemotherapy was going to be cyclical," explained Childs. "What happened at one treatment, might not be the same at another treatment. I kept a journal and realized only two to three days were difficult. I said I can do this. It helped me move forward."

Childs and her team will be out at Southridge Mall until October 15th providing breast health education and even driving women to free mammograms.

There will be bilingual volunteers on hand and all who stop by will be eligible for a gift card.

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