Pardee Hospital Foundation announced the names of the 2014 Women of Hope award recipients at their annual Women Helping Women dinner and luncheon events held October 23 and October 24 at Kenmure Country Club. Pat Haire, Lynn Sealander Jones, and Pam Kessaris were honored as the 2014 Women of Hope.
"These three women exemplify strength, courage, and hope," says Pardee Hospital Foundation Executive Director, Kimerly Hinkelman. "Their stories have inspired and encouraged us and it is an incredible feeling to be able to honor them and to celebrate their survivorship."
Pat Haire fought two bouts of cancer; ovarian and uterine. After multiple surgeries and extensive rounds of radiation, she remained positive, active, and became an inspiration to others. As of January 2014, Pat has been cancer free for three years.
Lynn Sealander Jones is a registered nurse that has spent her entire nursing career caring for cancer patients. In 2012, she was in an automobile accident that led to the discovery of cancer in her right arm. She quickly went from administering direct care to her patients to undergoing radical surgery to remove and replace the bones in her arm. She is a cancer nurse and now a cancer survivor. According to Jones, she lives her passion and has much to celebrate now and in the future.
Pam Kessaris' life changed forever after being hit by a drunk driver and trapped inside a burning vehicle in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She underwent years of physical therapy and has had more than 20 reconstructive surgeries. Today, Pam is thriving and has become an inspiration to other burn victims.
Each Woman of Hope will have a portrait, along with their words of encouragement, displayed at the Elizabeth Reilly Breast Center. These portraits will join the past Woman of Hope recipients, including Marcia Caserio, the 2013 Woman of Hope.
Women Helping Women started in 1998 primarily to assist women who needed preventive services like a mammogram, or treatment for breast cancer. The program and its parameters for assistance have expanded over the years to include all women's cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis, and other women's diseases.
For more information about the Pardee Hospital Foundation or Women Helping Women, visit pardeehospitalfoundation.org or call (828)696-4666. If you know someone in need today, have them call (828)698-7334.
