City of Decatur raises the standard for breast cancer

October 16, 2019 at 8:00 a.m.

by Mike Eckels

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS To help kickoff Breast Cancer Awareness Week on Oct. 7, members from various city offices gathered in front of a new flagpole near Decatur City Hall to raise the pink Komen cancer flag. Joining the fight for a cure were Sheila Verser (front row, left), Rickey Burke, Lana Turner, Jeanelle Simpson, Debbie Waches, Troy Waches, Kim Wilkins, Bob Tharp (back row, left), Joe Savage, Andy Adams, Joey Gunther and Adam Cramer.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS To help kickoff Breast Cancer Awareness Week on Oct. 7, members from various city offices gathered in front of a new flagpole near Decatur City Hall to raise the pink Komen cancer flag. Joining the fight for a cure were Sheila Verser (front row, left), Rickey Burke, Lana Turner, Jeanelle Simpson, Debbie Waches, Troy Waches, Kim Wilkins, Bob Tharp (back row, left), Joe Savage, Andy Adams, Joey Gunther and Adam Cramer.

DECATUR -- Over the course of the 20th century, cancer has claimed the lives of millions of women and men of every race. One of the biggest killers in the United States is breast cancer.

The city of Decatur recently placed a new flag pole on the southwest corner of the city hall grounds to help raise awareness for the fight against this dreaded disease.

Debbie Wackes, whose husband Troy is Decatur's parks and street superintendent, was recently diagnosed with the early stages of breast cancer. To help her with her fight, the city of Decatur, the city clerk's office, and the Decatur Fire and Police departments joined together to raise the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer standard (flag) at city hall Oct. 7.

According to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Inc., "More than 270,000 women and men in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. More than 42,00 women and men in the U.S. are expected to die from breast cancer this year."

To help the city of Decatur in its effort to bring awareness to the need for early detection of breast cancer or to make a donation, go to ww5komen.org/breastcancer/donations.

General News on 10/16/2019