Early detection.
It’s the message that The Valley Goes Pink committee co-chair Susan Coyle of Shelton wants to convey.
Coyle survived breast cancer 25 years ago.
Her experience propelled her into becoming one of the original members of the committee created to raise money to build The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby.
The facility opened in 2011.
Eight months ago, Coyle’s cancer came back.
“Little did I know that I’d be using that center,” Coyle said.
Then, in May, her daughter, Jodi Salerno, of Shelton, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
At 44, Salerno was the same age as her mom when she was first diagnosed.
Both women received help at The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness.
Coyle, who co-owns Real Estate Two in Shelton, where her daughter works, recently completed radiation treatments.
Salerno had chemotherapy treatments and, in August, underwent a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction surgery.
Early detection was key in both women’s battles.
“I knew Jodi and I would be OK, because early detection saves lives,” Coyle said.
This month, The Valley Goes Pink, a series of events that raise money and awareness for the cancer center, was scheduled to wind down Monday with a wine tasting at Wellingtons restaurant in Shelton.
The graciousness and generosity shown during October isn’t lost on Coyle and Salerno.
“The support of the community has been unbelievable,” Coyle said.
Coyle she couldn’t say enough good about the care she received at Griffin Hospital.
“Radiation today is unbelievably good. It’s now much easier than it was 25 years ago. It’s much more concentrated and focused,” Coyle said.
Cornelia Evans, executive director, Griffin Hospital Development Fund, said in addition to Coyle, several other committee members have had a recurrence of breast cancer.
“The irony of the situation is striking to me,” Evans said. “Who would have thought four years ago that so many of the women who worked hard to lead the fundraising campaign that built The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness would actually need to use its services to fight their own personal battles with breast cancer?”
