Perry Square fountain turned pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, survivor shares her story
Breast cancer survivors, their doctors, nurses, families and friends gathered in east Perry Square Tuesday evening to celebrate and encourage each other as the fountain there was turned pink to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
One of the speakers, Jennifer Post, 44, of Erie, urged all women to have regular mammograms beginning at age 40 after telling the audience that her cancer was diagnosed with her first mammogram at age 42. Post said she finished her treatments on April 7, 2021, her birthday.
"I'm here to support the survivors and thrivers," she said.
Because of her diagnosis, Post, a registered nurse, changed her career focus from gastrointestinal care at Bayfront Digestive Diseases to helping cancer patients at Hillman Cancer Center.
"I'm fortunate, it was an amazing experience," she said. "My doctors, support staff and friends, they were all great."
Breast surgeon Dr. Mona Janfaza led the 30-minute ceremony, which included four guest speakers. Afterward, two City of Erie employees turned on the fountain jets as pink water sprayed skyward. Children played in the water as attendees hugged and took photos until dusk.
The event, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, was sponsored by UPMC Hamot, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and Magee Womens, UPMC Hamot.
Greg Wohlford can be reached at gwohlford@timesnews.com and on Twitter at @ETNWohlford.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Perry Square fountain turned pink
