By Ryan Berry

DailyAdvocate.com

GREENVILLE — The Darke County Commissioners signed a proclamation on Thursday supporting awareness for National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The signing was attended by county employees who are cancer survivors, their families and supporters.

Karen Avore, assistant clerk, put the proclamations together for the commissioners. “I just wanted to do this as an encouragement for people in Darke County and spread awareness. I wanted to celebrate survivors and thrivers and fighters.” Avore is a cancer survivor and said she is always willing to talk to anyone. “Unfortunately, there are a bunch of us in the “C” Club and we don’t want to be. I was inducted in 2014,” she said.

Avore explained that all cancers are different and a treatment that works for one person may not work for another.

Avore said she saw individuals that had cancer and wanted to pattern her experience the way they handled the situation. “I always wanted to be a Margaret (Hayes). She always had a smile on her face and was cheer and joy,” said Avore.

She said she is thankful for the resources that are available in Darke County. “We’re fortunate to have a wonderful Cancer Center and the Darke County Cancer Association is wonderful,” Avore said. “There’s not anyone that should have to go without a mammogram. If you know anybody or hear someone say they can’t afford it, I will get you in touch with the right people,” she added.

She gave her advice to people going through cancer. She told those gathered in the commissioner’s office to enjoy every day because every day is a gift. She said to consider others and what they may be going through when they make you mad. Another piece of advice she gave is that it is “fine to not be fine”. She said if you’re not having a good day and someone asks how you are doing, it is okay to say that you are not doing well and to not cover it up. Another piece of advice she gave is that it is okay to take a nap.

Avore believes that prayer is important. If you don’t know what to say to a person going through cancer, she said one of the best things you can do is to pray for them.

Avore concluded, “I don’t want to be remembered as just a girl with metastatic breast cancer. I want to be remembered that I enjoyed life, had memories and enjoyed my friends and family. I had a good life. I’m thankful I can have peace and hope no matter what. God gave that to me. No matter what happens, when I get to the other side, I’m not going to have cancer.”

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is recognized throughout October and National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is recognized on Oct. 13.

To contact Daily Advocate Editor Ryan Berry, email [email protected].