Palm Beach Florida Weekly

Pink Chair Project spreads inspiring images of survival



Pat Maher shows off her chair during the Pink Chair Project decorating party at Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta. COURTESY PHOTO

Pat Maher shows off her chair during the Pink Chair Project decorating party at Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta. COURTESY PHOTO

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2014, Pat Maher quickly realized that focusing on her faith and embracing beliefs that centered on her best and highest good would be essential to her survival. Rather than let sad, morbid stories about the disease influence her outlook, she surrounded herself with positive people and created her own uplifting story of hope and recovery.

Ms. Maher is sharing her story through the Pink Chair Project, a new initiative presented by Jupiter Medical Center and the Margaret W. Niedland Breast Center to raise awareness about breast cancer and breast health. She is among a group of breast cancer survivors and patients the hospital invited to decorate chairs themselves or with the assistance of volunteer artists in themes that represent their personal source of inspiration for recovery. The chairs will be displayed at various locations in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter.

In a spirit of camaraderie and shared sentiments, Ms. Maher joined several Pink Chair Project participants in early September at a chair decorating party at the Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta, where they worked on their inspirational designs.

 

 

“At the top of the chair is my belief and personal experience that with God, all things are possible,” Ms. Maher said. The seat of her chair features two hands that are reaching and connecting in unity as they are surrounded by words of inspiration that enhanced her wellbeing, such as “divine guidance,” “heartfelt connections,” “harmony,” “grace” and more.

With chairs like Ms. Maher’s and others in locations throughout the community, the Pink Chair Project is raising awareness about breast cancer in a visually heartwarming way that organizers hope will remind women about the importance of annual examinations for early detection. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers, and second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of death among women. The American Cancer Society estimates that there are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the United States — including women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.

“The Pink Chair Project is a beautiful way to pay tribute to this group of courageous women, some of whom are newly diagnosed or living with metastatic breast cancer, while others are in remission,” said Dr. Nancy Taft, medical director of Jupiter Medical Center’s Comprehensive Breast Care Program. “At each stage of their diagnosis and treatment, they have displayed courage and resolve. We are honored to share their stories through this project and, hopefully, inspire others who are facing a similar challenge.”

To learn more about Jupiter Medical Center’s Pink Chair Project and see profiles of participants, visit www.jupitermed.com/pinkchair. ¦

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