Secrest to host breast cancer resource fair

ZANESVILLE − Secrest Auditorium will host the Breast Cancer Health and Wellness fair on Sunday. The event is meant to raise awareness of the disease, and provide support to those battling it and their families.

"This is geared to be an event not just for current cancer patients and survivors, but for family members as well, because they suffer and celebrate" alongside patients, said Stephanie Winland, the city's commercial redevelopment administrator, who organized the event.

The event is from noon to 4 p.m. Maddie Spielman will be the keynote speaker for the event. Spielman is the daughter of former Ohio State linebacker and NFL player Chris Spielman and his wife, the late Stefanie Spielman.

Stefanie found a lump in her breast during a self-exam in 1998. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30. She and Chris talked publicly about the disease, as well as the importance of education and prevention. Fundraisers held across the state over the years raised millions of dollars for the Ohio State University's James Cancer Center.

After a decade-long battle, Stefanie died in November of 2009. In October 2011 the university renamed its breast cancer facility to The Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center.

Maddie carries on her mother's legacy, continuing with both raising awareness of and fundraising for breast cancer research.

Various vendors, including health care providers, mental health services and support and products geared toward breast cancer patients, including breast reconstruction, will be on hand. Genesis HealthCare will have vouchers for free mammograms, an important tool in the fight against breast cancer, Winland said.

The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research continues to raise money through various community partnerships and fundraising events. To learn more, visit https://cancer.osu.edu/for-donors-and-volunteers/how-to-donate/donate-to-a-special-fund/stefanie-spielman-fund-for-breast-cancer-research.

Other upcoming events at Secrest Auditorium:

∙ Saturday, Etta May and the Southern Fried Chicks, a trio of comedians

∙ Thursday, Oct. 27, Terry Lee Goffee, a Johnny Cash tribute

∙ Saturday, Oct. 29, the Devilette Holiday Bazaar, a craft fair to benefit the ZHS Devilettes

∙ Sunday, Oct. 30, Sidewalk Prophets, a Christian rock band

∙ Wednesday, Nov. 2, Aaron Lewis, country music star

∙ Sunday, Nov. 6, Columbus Symphony Orchestra

For more information about the upcoming events, call the Secrest Auditorium box office at 740-454-6851.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Secrest to host breast cancer resource fair