Early. Detection. Saves. Lives.

Words to live by, but not everyone can afford a breast cancer screening. This week, it’s time to round up so others can get a checkup.

From Monday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 13, Pink Ribbon Society will be the beneficiary of Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. Customers across the Region can choose to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store, with those extra funds donated to the organization.

“Breast cancer screening and early detection play an important role in our health. Screening tests can help detect breast cancer at an early stage, when the chances of survival are highest,” says Ann Peters, president of the Merrillville-based Pink Ribbon Society. “When breast cancer is detected early and is in the localized stage, the five-year relative survival rate is 99%. Early detection includes doing monthly breast self-exams and scheduling regular clinical breast exams and mammograms.”

Peters is a 47-year breast cancer survivor, diagnosed at just 33 with Stage II metastatic breast cancer. She personally understands the impact of early detection and how important community support is to cancer patients.

Since its inception in 2001, Pink Ribbon Society has returned approximately $800,000 to individuals and other community organizations via its programs. This includes more than $290,000 for screening and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs for more than 2,000 women and more than $160,000 for wigs. These subsidies also provide garments such as mastectomy bras and breast prostheses to those with no insurance to cover these much-needed items, and pre-paid gift cards for those who need financial assistance during treatment. Gift cards help to pay for groceries, transportation to treatment, childcare and much more. For more information on the financial program, contact Pink Ribbon or go to iwinfoundation.org to apply for support.

Pink Ribbon has been the recipient of the Strack & Van Til Round Up program for nine years, and Peters is grateful for the support, including about $280,000 the event has generated for the organization. “It’s our hope that this year will bring us over the $300,000 mark,” she says.

“This program has been instrumental to the success of Pink Ribbon,” Peters notes. “The funds have supported our mammogram program and wig reimbursement program, as well as providing financial assistance to those who are in treatment for breast cancer. The majority of those we serve are from underserved communities who are unemployed, uninsured or simply don’t have the means to pay for these lifesaving tests and services.

“The American Cancer Society recommends women between 40 and 44 have the option to start yearly mammogram screenings, but if there’s a family history of breast cancer or if there has been a change in your breast, you should talk to your doctor — don’t wait,” Peters urges. “Also, although we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, we need to be mindful that breast cancer is not a seasonal disease. We should be aware of the importance of monthly self-breast exams and changes that may occur in our breasts or underarms year-round.”

Strack & Van Til continues its more than 94-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds through the Checkout Challenge Round Up program to help organizations in the communities they serve throughout Northwest Indiana.

President Jeff Strack credits customer generosity and the commitment of Strack & Van Til employees for the Checkout Challenge Round Up’s success.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is just naturally a part of Strack & Van Til’s culture. We are incredibly grateful to our customers who contribute to these Round Up campaigns and make a difference in the lives of so many people,” Strack says. “Our customers are the best. They are the ones who give back to the community. Our stores, with the help of our employees, simply provide our customers with an outlet to donate to some of their favorite local organizations.”

Take part in Strack & Van Til’s current Checkout Challenge Round Up and support the programs provided by Pink Ribbon Society.

For more information or to donate, visit pinkribbonsociety.org. To learn more about Strack & Van Til’s community involvement, visit strackandvantil.com/company/community-involvement.

And remember: Early. Detection. Saves. Lives.