DBCC and CAMP Rehoboth: A Partnership for Women's Health

Kathy Wiz had an idea to bring breast cancer awareness to the forefront at CAMP Rehoboth, a gay and lesbian community service organization in Rehoboth Beach where she volunteers.  Her sister, Anne Marie, had just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and Kathy knew she needed to do something to honor her sister and educate others.  “I wanted to do something in October but we didn’t have enough time to plan and then we thought about doing an event during CAMP Rehoboth’s Annual Women’s Fest Weekend and we thought, ‘that’s perfect!’”

DBCC Volunteers Peggy Dever and Sue Ryan (left) with DBCC Program Manager Connie Holdridge and CAMP Rehoboth Volunteer Kathy Wiz (right).

On April 10, during Women’s Fest 2011, CAMP Rehoboth hosted the Inaugural “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk,” a non-competitive walk down the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk to bring about awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.  “I don’t know how ‘Broadwalk’ came about but it just happened.  And I asked a few people if they felt it was offensive and everyone loved it.”  Loved it, they certainly did!  Hundreds gathered at CAMP to walk down the boardwalk with pink boas, t-shirts and other accessories.  “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk was one of the most enjoyable and colorful events of the year,” said DBCC Development Director Priscilla Rakestraw.  “The community was very welcoming and generously participated in the fight against breast cancer.”  To see additional photos from the event, click here.

Kathy explains the purpose behind the “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk” was “to get women together because they need education and resources and also to honor those that traveled their breast cancer journey.”  Many walk participants made t-shirts in honor or memory of those impacted by the disease.

The walk was unique in that there was no registration fee or minimum donation amount.  “I wanted to make sure anyone and everyone who wanted to support the cause could do just that,” Kathy said.  Donations totaled more than $6,000 for DBCC.  “We were just overwhelmed with generosity,” she added.

“The walk was to honor and cherish my sister, who struggled courageously and, to-date, successfully.  She is my inspiration and my hero.”  Kathy explains that DBCC was also instrumental in providing the education and resources.  There was a DBCC information table with brochures and materials.

However, the “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk” isn’t the first time that DBCC and CAMP Rehoboth have partnered up.  The two have been focusing on health issues together for years.  Sal Seeley, CAMPSafe Program Director at CAMP Rehoboth, explains the partnership between DBCC and CAMP Rehoboth is a great one.  “DBCC has resources that CAMP doesn’t have and right now, resources are limited so partnerships are important,” Sal said.

Sal explained that breast cancer is an important issue for the CAMP community:  “From a sexual minority standpoint, lesbians are at a higher risk for breast, ovarian and cervical cancers.”  He explained that he believes there are 4 major reasons for this:  

• Health care providers are not talking about prevention because they might feel uncomfortable or not know how to approach the subject;  

• Homosexual couples do not have the same shared health benefits that married couples do;  

• Lesbians don’t get as many exams because they might not feel that they are at-risk or do not go to the gynecologist as often; and  

• Lesbian women are less likely to have children, which has been noted as a potential risk factor for breast cancer.

Sal explained that since Rehoboth Beach is a resort community, it is important to educate those women who move here and don’t know what resources are available to them.  “We’ve received a lot of good feedback especially those that are concerned with health issues,” he said.

At a Breast Health Presentation at Women's Fest

“The Rehoboth Beach community and LGBTQ community are generally very active and supportive of causes, especially health issues and receiving quality care,” Sal said.  “And DBCC is great because they are very open to other communities.”

The partnership between DBCC and CAMP is continually growing.  In the past years, DBCC has provided information to be available at CAMP, especially during breast cancer awareness month.  This past year DBCC gave breast health presentations and held breakout sessions during Women’s Fest.  On September 10, 2011, DBCC will be attending CAMP’s Health Day with breast cancer information and Beebe will be on-site with screenings.  DBCC Program Manager Connie Holdridge has played a big role in the partnership with CAMP.  “We’re so thrilled to be able to partner with CAMP Rehoboth on these important women’s issues.  It really is a wonderful partnership that brings together two organizations that have a focus on health,” she said.

“The health initiative at CAMP is great and I’m really excited about the potential of what this means for DBCC and CAMP,” Sal said.

Special Thanks to the “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk” 

Committee Members
Debbie Cutler
Kathy Davison
Cheryl Doucette
Karen Gustafson
Jenn Harpel
Muriel Hogan
Connie Holdridge
Joanne Kempton
Kathy Wiz