To volunteer with The Partnership for Gynecological Cancer Support, go to www.supportgc.org or email Sue Sigmon-Nosach at gcsurvivor@gmail.com
It was on her 51st birthday when Sue Sigmon-Nosach learned she had been diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer. Two years later, Sigmon-Nosach’s close friend Debbie Torbett was diagnosed with stage three of the same disease.
The women realized that they had a disease that isn’t spoken about too much. “You don’t really hear or see a lot of information about it, and just like all the other cancers, having knowledge of it is equally important,” said Sigmon-Nosach. “So, Debbie and I wanted to find a way to bring awareness about ovarian and other gynecologic cancers.”
The ladies started Two Broken Broads and sold the glass art to raise funds for different causes. But, they wanted to make a real impact.
“We wanted to see the impact of the money we raised, and we knew there had to be a stronger way to give back,” she said.
They formed The Partnership for Gynecological Cancer Support which provides financial assistance for daily non-insured expenses for women currently being treated for a gynecological cancer. In partnership with Northside Hospital and Northeast Georgia Medical Cancer Center in Gainesville, the nonprofit has become a blessing for many women.
PGCS provides $300 Kroger gift cards to help women and their families pay for necessities like medicine, groceries or gas.
Shanika Eberhardt, the chemotherapy clinical coordinator for GYN/Oncology at Northside, was Torbett’s nurse and works with PGCS to identify those in need.
“A lot of my day is difficult because I have to give bad news, but when I get to give them some relief in a form of this news, it’s exciting for me and them,” said Eberhardt. “There are lots of tears, lots of thank yous and just an overall understanding that someone is looking out for them.”
Last year, the organization helped 153 women and distributed over $45,000 in gift cards.
Along with various volunteer opportunities, PGCS also honors the way the two women started their mission to give back. For the art show in September, Broads Brush, Sigmon-Nosach encourages survivors to submit artwork for auction and the community to become involved in any way possible.
Torbett passed away last year, “And, I promised her that I would continue to tell our story and fulfill our mission to help many women along this journey,” said Sigmon-Nosach.
In other news: Church's Chicken sponsored the 44th annual community Christmas event at Atlanta Fire Rescue Department Fire Station 16 on Dec. 13. The event treated 500 kids and their families to a festive holiday lunch including a visit from Santa, who gave out toys to all of the children in attendance.
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