“As a breast cancer patient, coping and managing lymphedema is extremely difficult, painful, tiring and frustrating. Being a recipient of your cleaning services has been a tremendous, tremendous blessing. My home being kept clean helps me from being depressed. I look at the world differently. It is brighter and clearer. This gives me a good outlook on life!”
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“I thank God for you and for others like you who reach out to help others. It is a blessing to know that others care and help folks who need help and let them know that they are not alone.”
A collection of kind words from our esteemed patients: Pay it forward “The Merry Maids housecleaning was fantastic. Support of this kind is invaluable. I will always remember what it feels like to receive help from a group that has never met me and it will drive me to pay it forward.” It was hard to keep going! “I had to go back and forth to the doctors office daily for a week and it was hard to keep going until I received the gas cards you sent me. I was so stressed over trying to beg, borrow and steal (not literally) money for gas to get to treatment. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the help you gave me. It was truly needed and appreciated.” Gas cards “Thank you so much for the Sheetz gift cards for gas to my treatments for my breast and brain cancer. It’s amazing how quickly the gas tank empties when you have to make 2-3 trips to the...Read More >
We are Rockin’ the Red in September and The Red Devils need rocking chairs. If you happen to have unused wooden rockers taking up space in your basement and/or garage, please consider donating them to us for a 24 hour, Rockin the Red Rock-A-Thon to be held at the White Marsh Mall this September. We’ll refinish and paint them for the event, and then donate them to area hospitals. If you have rocking chairs to lend us–PERFECT. We’ll make arrangements for pick up and/or return. Please contact Paige at paige@the-red-devils.org and put “Rocking Chair” in the subject line for more information or to set up a pick up.
Human Interest Stories Trio of women beat cancer, Scranton Half Marathon up next For many people, running a half marathon could be considered a major challenge.For Lori Marinucci, Mary Lynn Gaetano and Eileen Yanchak, Sunday’s inaugural Scranton Half Marathon will be “nothing.” Sure, they’ve never run one before and have only recently took up the sport. But all three have already faced and beaten one of life’s greatest challenges – breast cancer. Make-up free selfie raises $500 University student Brittany Bishop is donating $500 to Breast Cancer research after receiving over 600 likes on social media for her make-up free photo. Student who got a pink Mohawk for breast cancer awareness in honor of sick mother BANNED from competing in track unless he cuts it off Medical News Premier cancer researcher cites successes and sees hope Bones tell much about breast cancer; foresees personalized prevention routine
For many women who are told they have breast cancer and will need chemotherapy, one of their first thoughts is, “I’m going to lose my hair.” Vanessa and Shelly were no different. They, however, were spared what most assume is the inevitable outcome of chemotherapy. Under the innovative care of Dr. Young Lee, Chief of Oncology at Harbor Hospital, those pioneering women used Cold Cap therapy to preserve their hair, their dignity, and self esteem. Cold Cap therapy uses special caps frozen to -40 degrees and worn for a period before, during, and after chemotherapy treatments. Cooling of the hair follicles prevents the chemotherapy toxins from reaching the follicles, and therefore preserving the patient’s hair. Dr. Lee has treated several patients with Cold Caps, all with great success. Vanessa told us, “I didn’t want to look sick and to have people look at me and feel sorry.” When she began to lose hair from other parts of her body, she was...Read More >
The Red Devils was just awarded a three-year, $69,750 grant from the Global Headquarters of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. We will use those funds to provide transportation to treatment for Prince George’s County breast cancer patients who all too often delay or go without treatment because transportation is an obstacle.
Pamela Robbins is proud of the fact she plays a role in the making of the crumbs the general public knows and loves as “Stove Top Stuffing.” The Eastern Shore resident works for Kraft General Foods in a plant near her home. Even when she discovered she had breast cancer, she still gamely moved lids weighing 30 pounds each and maneuvered a forklift to position 100-pound totes which balloon to 500 pounds once they contain product. “We bake the crumbs, dry them out, and get them into totes. I am moving constantly,” Pamela says. When the crumbs come out of the dryers they go into a tank “which only holds so much. I have to get that one tote off and put another one on before the crumbs spill over the tank and start a back-up. That tote comes up to my chin, so I have to throw the lid up into the air to get it on....Read More >
With over 4,000 new breast cancer diagnoses each year in the state of Maryland, The Red Devils works in conjunction with 40 hospitals and medical facilities as well as dozens of service providers to lessen the burdens of the disease on patients and their families. Improving the quality of life for these families is our number one priority, as funds raised are used directly toward various lifestyle programs and medical services. From insurance premiums to house cleanings, The Red Devils supports roughly 700 patients annually in a variety of ways: Medical Services & Treatments Family Support Transportation Copays Rent and Mortgage Sedan and Van Rides Medical Bills Gift cards Parking Passes Acupuncture and Massage Therapy Homecare Gas Cards Medical Equipment Housecleaning Metro Passes Prescriptions Meals Taxi Vouchers In 2013 alone, we were able to assist 704 individual patients and their families, with a breakdown of services as follows: Over the coming months, we hope to bring continued content to this blog covering the many aspects of The Red Devils, including, but not limited to, patient stories, event updates and recaps,...Read More >
