Out & About: Westmoreland Walks paints Twin Lakes Park pink

Riffing on an old Rod Stewart song, Westmoreland Walks chose “Every Ribbon Tells a Story” for the theme of its 18th annual Pink Ribbon Walk, held Oct. 5 in Twin Lakes Park.

The ribbon symbolized Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, and the walk raises funds for the grassroots organization that supports breast cancer research and assists patients and their families experiencing hardships because of the disease through services and scholarships.

Carol Davis of Greensburg was someone with a story to tell, having completed her last chemotherapy treatment on Sept. 25. Davis said her cancer was “diagnosed” by the sniffing of her daughter’s dog.

“I made a joke and said, ‘I probably have cancer,’ ” she said. When a friend’s dog repeated the sniffing routine soon after, Davis did a self-examination, found a lump and sought treatment for her aggressive metaplastic breast cancer.

She had another reason for attending her first Pink Ribbon Walk: her grandson Gage Redinger plays in the Greensburg Salem drumline, which provides walkers with their marching beat.

The walk included survivor stories, information and treats for participants, such as pink ribbon-shaped cookies from Ligonier Giant Eagle.

Westmoreland Walks board members are Kathy Brown, Cricket Rizzo, Rose Buric, Connie Tamewitz, Debbie Weinstein, Elizabeth Alcorn, Rebecca Hazy, Wendy Lint, Cindy Shaffer and Kim Yagla.

Seen: Jennifer Pensinger, executive director of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, along with Bill Brown, Cheryl McMullen, Pam Stablein, Debbie Sarault, Sheila Farina, Carrie Horner, Dr. Sharon Goldstein, Kasie Schaar, Tammy Naugle, Kayla Wilhelm, Kim and Craig Margonari, Ari Margonari, Danny Margonari, Dylan Margonari, Kathryn King and Jason, Amanda, Ryleigh and Harlow Hempel.

Survivors and others still in the battle are invited to send their stories to Westmoreland Walks during October by using Facebook Messenger.