Submitted Photo Members of the Breast Cancer Support Group of Jamestown recently presented Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care with a $5,000 challenge gift. From left are Joyce Seekins, a 10-year survivor; John Smith, a one-year survivor; Pat Carr, a 27-year survivor; Mary and Bert Rappole, Our House Campaign chairs; and Shauna Anderson, Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care president and CEO.

The Breast Cancer Support Group of Jamestown made a $5,000 contribution to Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care’s Our House Campaign to bring a hospice residence to Chautauqua County.

The group also challenged other community organizations to support the Campaign.

Following a recent meeting at which Mary Rappole, Our House Campaign co-chair, shared details of the project, the group voted to send a strong signal of support to the project.

“This is very important to our community,” said Pat Carr, organizer of the Breast Cancer Support Group. “We feel it deserves strong support and we challenge other community organizations to step forward and help make this a reality.”

John Smith, a breast cancer survivor who is working to bring attention to men’s vulnerability to the disease, also challenges his peers at National Fuel Gas to support the project.

The hospice residence, which will be located adjacent to the CHPC administrative offices on Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, is expected to be in operation in 2021. Each year it will provide over 200 individuals who lack a caregiver, who have complex medical conditions or who can’t remain at home with a peaceful, dignified resting place in their final days.

The Our House Campaign has raised $1.2 million toward the final goal of $2.1 million.

“We are so grateful for the generosity of the Breast Cancer Survivors and the compassion they offer to our community members who are fighting for their lives,” said Mary Rappole.

October is breast cancer awareness month and Carr reminds the community to “Turn on pink to blackout breast cancer.” Anyone interested in the activities of the Breast Cancer Support Group are encouraged to contact Pat Carr at 665-4343.

The mission of CHPC is to provide comprehensive palliative/end-of-life care and education. CHPC provides hospice care for patients and families facing life-limiting terminal illness, palliative care for those with serious chronic illness, and bereavement support to individuals, families and organizations who have suffered the loss of a loved one. To donate to the Our House Campaign, learn more about the hospice house or learn about the mission of CHPC, visit www.chpc.care or call 338-0033.