A local business owner is helping her friend fight cancer by raising money.
Dottie Rivers and Janice Sweatt have been friends for 26 years. When Sweatt was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ, commonly called breast cancer, in November 2012, Rivers travelled with her to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Chicago for Sweatt’s first consultation. There, Sweatt found out she would need a mastectomy of her left breast.
Rivers, the owner of Savvy Salon on East Broad Avenue (Business U.S. 74), is hosting “Cuts For A Cure For Jan.” The fundraiser, which is on Jan. 7 and begins at 10 a.m., is dry haircuts only and will be for people of any age and gender. Dry haircuts are haircuts where the stylist does not wash the hair before cutting. The cuts are $12 for men and children and $15 for women. All proceeds will go to Sweatt.
According to the John Hopkins Medical website, Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), also known as infiltrating ductal carcinoma, is cancer that began growing in the duct and has invaded the fatty tissue of the breast outside of the duct. IDC is the most common form of breast cancer, representing 80 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, ductal carcinoma in situ is one type of noninvasive (in situ) breast cancer. In situ breast cancer refers to cancer in which the cells have remained within their place of origin — they haven’t spread to breast tissue around the duct or lobule. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is considered a precancerous lesion. This means that if it were left in the body, DCIS could eventually develop into an invasive cancer.
Sweatt will travel to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Chicago on Jan. 17 to undergo the mastectomy. She will be in Chicago for one week then travel back to North Carolina where she will be out of work for six weeks due to her surgery. During her recovery time, she will learn whether or not she needs chemotherapy. Sweatt will then have to travel to Chicago every two weeks for additional treatment. Once she is cancer free, she will have to travel to Chicago once a year for an annual checkup.
Sweatt works two jobs at two different car dealerships and although she has health insurance, her insurance only covers about 60 percent of her medical bills. Insurance does not cover travelling expenses, food, household bills, and other expenses she will occur.
“This is the highest form of compliment a friend can offer,” Sweatt said about Rivers’ efforts.
— Staff Writer Laura Edington can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at ledington@heartlandpublications.com.
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