Local Laundromat Raises More Than $200 for Breast Cancer Research
by James Coulter
A local business owner and cancer “previvor” raised more than $200 at her laundromat for breast cancer research.
Busy Bubbles Laundromat in Winter Haven hosted a fundraiser in honor of National Breast Cancer Research Day on Mon. Aug. 18.
More than $200 was raised through wash and fold specials, with half the proceeds raised going toward the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation.
Many customers shared stories about how their loved ones had either survived or passed away from cancer. One woman even survived breast cancer at age 16.
Stephanie Griggs Joiner, the laundromat’s owner, is a breast cancer “previvor”, which means she has a hereditary predisposition for the disease but was not diagnosed with it.
Many cancer previvors, having a heightened risk of developing cancer, take preventive measures to protect themselves against the disease. Stephanie opted to undergo a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction last year.
Her family has a history of breast cancer. Her own mother passed away from the disease at age 59. So, following an annual breast screening, she decided to undergo testing to determine her risk of developing cancer.
Not only did her test results come back with a double positive, but shortly after a weeklong cruise, Stephanie discovered a lump in her left breast. After talking with her oncologist, she decided to forgo a biopsy and move forward with a double mastectomy.
“I will tell you it was way more than I thought physically,mentally, and emotionally,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “I still fight lots of demons daily…I’m still healing from this surgery,and it was hard because my chest hurt and now my stomach…fun stuff, but I kept on smiling and trusting the [doctors] and looking to God for strength.”
Though Stephanie remains grateful to have recovered from her double mastectomy, she admittedly also struggles with survivor’s guilt, knowing how many women did not have the same options she did to avoid developing cancer.
“I’m a previvor, but it comes with mixed emotions—there’s often guilt knowing that, unlike my mom and close family and friends, I had the chance to choose before cancer could choose for me,” she wrote.
“This [situation] comes with lots of judgments and lots of people who say I was overdoing it, and some friends who have had cancer have not been very nice,” she continued. “I’m in NO way diminishing what they have or are going through, but I’m thankful every day that God allowed EVERYTHING to fall into place and I can live without this threat over me.”
Her victory over cancer inspired her to do everything she couldto help other women achieve their own victory, which is why she decided to host the fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research Day. She owes her success to everyone willing to come out to show their support for breast cancer awareness and research.
“I guess I would have to credit it to people who were so impacted by breast cancer in a negative way that everybody wanted to help find some cure so the suffering ends, whether it has been people impacted by breast cancer or a loved one, it was a success because people wanted to come out and show their support to finding a cure,” she said.
Stephanie plans on hosting another fundraiser in October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She hopes to run similar specials throughout the month, as well as host a meeting with a counselor and potentially even create a local support group.
“I am thankful for everyone who came in and participated,” she said. “I am thankful I am a previvor and hope we can make a difference for breast cancer.”
