“I believe you can turn bad things that happen into good,” Patty Hurwitz says.
Determined to make good out of the breast cancer diagnosis that turned her life upside down, she chose to do something about it.
She is not alone. Each year, more than 268,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Battling the disease took Patty to Baltimore for state-of-the-art medical care. Although grateful for the excellent physicians and treatment she received, traveling back and forth was wearing, both physically and mentally. At one point, she recalls sitting in the hospital in Baltimore, looking out the window and thinking, “Why can’t we have our own breast center in Frederick, so we can stay there and have the very best treatment?”
With great vision, Patty and her husband, Jeff, decided to do something that could turn that dream into a reality for the women of Frederick, and so the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund at Frederick Memorial Hospital was established in 1999. The fund provides equipment and technology for everyone and has the latest state-of-the-art technology.
“I felt that the reason I had such a good outcome was that I had early detection," Patty says. "We know that with all cancers, it makes all the difference with early detection. It’s a treatable disease if caught early enough.”
On Oct. 26, the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund will host its 20th Pink Ribbon Gala Celebration.
“We are on target to reach $2 million for the fund through the events this year!” Patty says.
This year's gala will be held at New Spire Stages and will feature special performances and a silent auction.
In addition, this is the 11th year for the Pink Ribbon 5K, scheduled for Oct. 5 at Hood College.
“We hope to have 1,000 runners this year. The race/walk is really special; it’s where we get to honor our survivors,” Patty says. “Those are our two main sponsored events, but the support that has come from so many places in the community is amazing. Fundraisers are happening all over; community events, clubs, athletic teams, high school groups, women’s groups and towns through their businesses are raising money. The support of the community is so gratifying. It makes me grateful to be in Frederick. Frederick is such a giving community.”
The amazing preventative and diagnostic technology at the Breast Cancer Center is available to everyone right here in Frederick at Frederick Memorial Hospital. It’s the best technology coupled with top resources so women don’t have to go anywhere else—thanks to one woman and her family who turned a challenge into something good for all of us.
