Debra Freet knows all to well that support is needed when times are tough.
On Jan. 25, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. The lump had been there for years, but she had no mammogram coverage on her insurance. And at times, she was the only one in her home working. So even when the money was there, they had day to day needs to cover.
She has undergone chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy and 30 radiation treatments, and she still has several surgeries still left to complete reconstruction. It has been a long year so far, but she says the support from friends and family has made it possible to make it through.
"I am lucky - I have great support and have found even more support," Freet said.
At her first appointment with her doctor, she received a binder, full of tips and information from the Community Breast Care Project of Central Missouri.
Between the project and the American Cancer Society, Freet said she has been overwhelmed with the support and help to guide her to resources and programs.
"It is like they have taken me in and given me a road map on what to do and where to go," she said.
Thankful her job allowed her to take short-term disability for six months while she underwent treatments and surgeries, Freet said sometimes the money just was not there.
"We were at the point where we needed the extra help, but were not sure what to do and were just praying and hoping," she said.
Soon the Community Breast Care Project called and had the help she needed in the form of a $500 financial aid check.
"They allowed us to pay rent and be able to get back on our feet," Freet said.
The group awards the checks to local women in need, in addition to providing support group services and the binders, to name a few of their outreach services.
"Without the help and support we ... well I just do not know. There are not words to describe what they have done for me and my family," Freet said, choking back tears.
Sad that she didn't know about the organization until she needed it, Freet hopes to spread the word and to recruit help for the group, which is the beneficiary of two fundraising events this weekend.
Bowling for Boobies, an event sponsored by the Elks Lodge Ladies Auxiliary will be held from 1-4 p.m. and again from 5-7 p.m. Saturday. The first phase of the event is a bowling tournament at Westgate Lanes. There are still spaces available for teams of four in the 4 p.m. event. The tournament fee is $20 per person with bowling shoes and a pasta buffet included. Teams and individuals are encouraged to sign up.
Awards will be given for each session, and an awards ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. during the dinner at the Elks Lodge.
Participants are asked to arrive 30 minutes before their bowling session begins.
An all-you-can-eat pasta buffet and dance will be held at the lodge.
For more information on the Bowling of Boobies event, call the Elks Lodge at 636-9533 or Westgate Lanes at 636-7108; Jean Carpenter is the organizer of the event.
The second event, Ride for the Ribbon, begins with registration at 10 a.m. A bike show will be held from 3-5 p.m. Saturday at Prison Brews.
The poker run starts at Prison Brews and will go through Osage City, Bonnots Mill, Linn and then back to Prison Brews. Cost is $20 per rider. A bike show will be held at Prison Brews, and there will be a 5 p.m. raffle and door prizes. For more information on that event, call Lorie Smith at (573) 619-5588.