| Centre County Knitters Goal Is 100 Knitted Knockers for Local Survivors and to Help Spread the Word about Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment One in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer, as will a small number of men. |
| State College, Pa. – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Centre Knitters Guild is out to broaden that awareness and support survivors in Centre County with their campaign kickoff, “Knitted Knockers Night,” on Thursday, October 5th at 7 p.m. at the Patton Township Building Meeting Room, 100 Patton Plaza, State College. The evening’s program will include a talk titled, “Early Detection is Best Protection” presented by Angelique Cygan, Oncology Breast Navigator at Mount Nittany Health. Guild members, working toward a goal of knitting 100 Knitted Knockers™ by the end of October, will display those they’ve completed and continue working on those in progress during a question and answer period with Cygan. “Knitting is what we do. So for the month of October, we’re committing our hands and hearts to knitting a large supply of a surprisingly effective and comfortable breast prosthetic invention called the Knitted Knocker™. We also want to spread the word about the importance of screenings,” Anne Hoag, Guild President said. She added, “Our Knockers will be donated to two Centre County distribution centers, one at Geisinger Mammography at Gray’s Woods and another at Mount Nittany Medical Center.” Angelique Cygan, the evening’s speaker, agrees there’s a need to improve awareness across the Centre Region. “Screenings are so important. Women – and men – should familiarize themselves with screening guidelines. When diagnosed early, treatment can be more effective and survival rates are much higher. Getting the word out through partner organizations like the Centre Knitters Guild is key,” said Cygan. Cygan invites everyone to learn more about opportunities for both the insured and uninsured, and can be reached at angelique.cygan@mountnittany.org or 814.231.6870. Founded in 2003, the Centre Knitters Guild is dedicated to promoting the art and joy of knitting and crocheting. With more than 50 members, TCKG offers its members fellowship, informative monthly programs, workshops, field trips, discounts on yarn, an annual members-only retreat, and the area’s largest celebration of all things yarn, its annual “For the Love of Fiber,” open to the public, a day-long convention, show and market held each March. TCKG meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Patton Township Building. To learn more about The Centre Knitters Guild, to join and to access the blog go to centreknittersguild.com. To learn more about For the Love of Fiber (FloF), centreknittersguild.com/flof-details. More information about breast cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be found at nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month.For more information about local breast screening, cancer treatment and services, visit mountnittany.orgTo obtain free patterns and instructions on making Knitted Knockers, go to knittedknockers.org. |