JBG Community Partner: Bag It!
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A breast cancer survivor is making it easier for other cancer survivors to find the information they need to cope with all aspects of their disease. Video by kgun9.com
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Journal Broadcast Group Tucson, a proud member of America's Best LOCAL Broadcast Company, is donating over $1,500,000.00 in media exposure to local charities in 2011.
Reporter: Kimberly Romo
TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - This month, as part of our Journal Broadcast Group community partner program, we are highlighting a non-profit that gives newly diagnosed cancer patients the supportive, comforting information they need, when they need it most. Bag It! was started eight years ago by a Tucson mother. She knows exactly what cancer patients need during the course of their treatment because as a cancer survivor, she's been there, done that.
When Sherri Romanoski was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, she says the fear about what might happen was tremendous. Medical information about her condition was easy to find, but she had a tough time locating resources about how to cope, and how to help her family do the same. She says, "I thought - there has got to be some information out there on how to help people cope with this whole thing, and how to feel more part of the medical team instead of so victimized." In recognizing that need, Sherri created Bag It! The concept is simple- just about everything a cancer patient needs, all in one spot. There's information from places like the National Cancer Institute and survivors groups. There's also a medical binder to help patients organize their information, doctors, and appointments. Bag It! bags are for men and women of any age, and with any kind of cancer - before, during, and after treatment. Sherri says, "That's a very, very hard time for us, as cancer survivors, because we are so actively pursuing treatment, and getting rid of our disease, and then now what?"
What started out as a small project in her house has blossomed into a statewide effort to reach as many cancer patients as possible. Each month, volunteers organize the materials, and assemble about 700 bags which are then distributed to 130 medical providers, including oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons. Bag It! bags are free to anyone who wants one. The non-profit does receive grants in order to operate, and also tries to raise funds in other ways. They're having their 8th annual "Take A Hike For Bag It!," a hike and brunch at Lowes Ventana Canyon Resort, on Sunday, November 13th.
For more information on the event, and to learn more about Bag It!, click here.
For more information about our Journal Broadcast community partner program, click here.
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